Violent thugs brought destruction and terror to the community of Middlesbrough this afternoon as they clashed with police, threw missiles, and burned cars.

When I arrived on the scene, many had gathered at the Cenotaph on Parliament Road at 2pm, dressed in England flags and union jacks, while others wore balaclavas.

Police lined the surrounding streets and more made their way to the scene as demonstrators began to march on Linthorpe Road.

Scuffles between police and demonstrators broke out shortly afterwards as they began their march.

Loud bangs could be heard and a demonstrator was pictured lying on a police vehicle, while a police helicopter and drone flew overhead.

Violent scenes followed as demonstrators made their way down Elm Street and some began pelting Teesside Combined Court Centre’s windows with missiles.

A police line was set up around Russell Street before the demonstrators began returning to Parliament Road.

As they left, a demonstrator was convinced to drop a brick by a woman accompanying him as he continued to shout.

A bystander noticed this and disposed of the brick so it could not be used.

Speaking about the events, he said: “It’s just mindless, is it not?”

While another said: “I think it’s horrendous. Really, really sad for the town.

“Let’s see what the next few hours bring.”

Thugs left a trail of destruction as they made their way back with car windows smashed, windshields caved in, and headlights destroyed.

The front window of one of the houses had been smashed as the demonstrators made their way through.

An owner of one of the cars vandalised was left distraught by the damage, while others looked on in disbelief.

As I followed the demonstration, projectiles continued to be launched by demonstrators and there were further clashes with police.

One man was seemingly arrested on Linthorpe Road and could be seen surrounded by riot police.

Many began to gather on the road opposite the Cenotaph, where the demonstration first began, and the tensions reached their hottest point as demonstrators clashed with police again.

Two men could be seen stopping cars in the middle of the road, asking drivers if they “were white,” before allowing them to pass through.

Tensions flared as police attempted to move those blocking the road, and demonstrators began throwing rocks, dirt, and what resembled a pipe at officers.

Police were forced to move those behind the line back as the projectiles became more numerous.

Later, a car would be set alight on the road, while burning bins were also hurled towards police.

As I left the area, I spoke with one of the men outside Middlesbrough Central Masjid, which had seen police form a line around it and the surrounding streets.

Kasid Khan, 30, from Middlesbrough, said he and members of the community had been left worried by the events.

He said the Southport tragedy has been used as an excuse by agitators to inflict violence and incite riots.

He said: “The basis of the entire thing is the three girls who tragically lost their lives [in Southport], I don’t think a single outside the mosque today condones that. It’s not an agenda that’s been pushed by us at all, and that’s been used as an excuse and ammunition to initiate riots which are not at all linked to what’s going on.

“Ultimately, they’re just destroying their own area, they’re destroying the area of the people who have been born here, people who are white, British, people of every race, and it’s not a true representation of the vast majority of the public.

“It worries me, I’ve had family members and group chats [where] the overall message is ‘stay home, don’t go out.’

“I think it’s people jumping on the bandwagon and people who have an agenda. It’s just fuel on the fire, something to trigger it.

“There’s more potential for escalation, but on the other hand, should just stand by and allow things that we’ve contributed to, a mosque that we’ve built through donations, should we stand by and allow that to be destroyed?

“I think more than anything, it’s just to show solidarity in a community which is a minority. It’s intimidating to see people going down the road, and it’s not a peaceful protest.

“It’s obviously a small minority. The views of the people marching today don’t represent the views of the people I’ve grown up with, that’s white British people. We grew up in a mixed environment, a mixed culture.

“Coming out of this, I think people will see, hopefully, in a situation like this, the worst thing you can do is escalate.

“There needs to be a way for dialogue to be introduced before people start clashing.”

After making my way back towards Captain Cook Square, I spotted a large plume of black smoke coming from Borough Road.

A car had been overturned and set alight by demonstrators. Meanwhile, residents looked on and spoke of the horrors of the afternoon, and how streets had been closed due to the violence.

As I left the scene, residents watched on from the side of the road covering their mouths as smoke filled the air.

Police confirmed the main areas affected were Parliament Road, Waterloo Road, and the area around the university.

Officers have made twelve arrests relating to violent disorder offences at the time of writing.

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Assistant Chief Constable, David Felton, said: “We are urging members of the public to stay away from Middlesbrough while officers respond to violent disorder in the town.

“We have a high policing presence responding to the disorder, and the priority remains to protect people and communities.

“Officers will continue to make arrests and deal robustly with anyone shown to be intent on committing violence and causing harm. “