A 11-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of arson after a police vehicle was reportedly set alight during a night of violence in Hartlepool. 

The arrest is the latest in a series made following disorder in the town on Wednesday (July 31)

Missiles, eggs, bricks, and rocks were just some of the items that were thrown at riot police as unrest swept through the town centre.  

Cleveland Police confirmed earlier 11 people had been arrested and four police officers injured following unrest which saw approximately 150 people gathered in Hartlepool.

Seven men, one juvenile and one woman, aged between 14 and 54, were arrested on suspicion of various offences following a series of incident which began at 6pm, between the Cenotaph and Murray Street

Some of the suspected offences included violent disorder and the assault of an emergency worker.

Prior to the protest, officers identified the suspected organiser and arrested a 51-year-old man from Hartlepool on suspicion of distributing written materials to stir up racial hatred.

He has since been released on conditional bail while enquires are ongoing.

A woman, aged 28, also from the Hartlepool area was arrested on Wednesday prior to the protest.

She was detained on suspicion of unlawfully obtaining or disclosing protected information and distributing written materials to stir up racial hatred relating to personal information placed on social media and has since been released on conditional bail while the investigation continues.

This evening (Thursday) a Cleveland Police spokesperson said: "A 11-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of arson after a police vehicle was reportedly set alight on Dent Street in Hartlepool yesterday evening, Wednesday 31st July, during disorder in the town."

 

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Cleveland Police Assistant Chief Constable David Felton said: “This is very much a live investigation and we are continuing to work to identify those involved in the disorder yesterday evening and bring them to justice.

“Disorder of this kind will not be tolerated and those found to be involved will be robustly dealt with.”

Officers continue to have a visible presence in the area to reassure and protect the community.