Everything we know so far after Hartlepool violence

Roads were closed off as crowds of men, women and youths pushed and shoved lines of riot police in the town centre.

Reports of unrest began circulating on social media as police converged on the town shortly after 6pm.

A police car parked on Dent Street was torched and video showed protestors throwing rocks, bricks, glass bottles and other debris at officers.

A police car is engulfed in flames. (Image: Picture: TERRY BLACKBURN)

Follow our live coverage of events in Hartlepool HERE

Eight people were arrested, Cleveland Police have confirmed, after the clashes clamed in the early hours of Thursday.

Police said shortly before 1.45am that disorder had ended and roads had reopened.

The Teesside force added: “Eight arrests were made during the evening relating to public order offences.

“A full criminal investigation is under way and we expect further arrests to be made in the coming days.

A man runs at police with a plank of wood. (Image: Terry Blackburn)

“We understand that these events will have been hugely concerning to our communities and we want to reassure people that the actions of those involved will be dealt with to bring those responsible to justice.”

Officers are expected to remain in the area - around Murray Street, Sherriff Street, Grange Road, Sandringham Road and Duke Street – today.

It came just a day after riots in Southport where three girls aged fatally stabbed on Monday (July 29) when a knifeman entered a Taylor Swift-themed dance class.

Crowds gather in the town. (Image: Picture: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

Violence also erupted in Manchester and in London on Wednesday, with protestors marching towards Downing Street. More than 100 people were arrested by the Metropolitan Police.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will hold an emergency meeting with police chiefs this afternoon for emergency talks after the second night of violence.

The violence nationwide has been linked with the knife attack in Southport on Monday.

A 17-year-old boy who cannot be named for legal reasons was, in the early hours or Thursday, charged with the murders of Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and ten counts of attempted murder following the incident in Southport.

Recommended reading:

• Eight arrested following disorder in Hartlepool days after Southport stabbings
• WATCH: Shocking footage as police car set alight during Hartlepool disorder
• Riot police deal with large-scale disorder in Hartlepool as bricks thrown at officers

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He will appear before Magistrates in Liverpool today.

The protestors defied calls from Jenni Stancombe, mum of Elsie Dot Stancombe, for calm. During violence in Southport on Tuesday (July 30) she posted to social media: “This is the only thing that I will write, but please stop the violence in Southport tonight.

“The police have been nothing but heroic these last 24 hours and they and we don't need this.”