“Frightened” residents say parents were forced to “lock their children in bathrooms” after rioters raided homes in Middlesbrough.
Hundreds of people reigned terror on the streets of the town centre on Sunday afternoon as a “peaceful demonstration” erupted into a violent disorder.
Missiles were launched at police, cars overturned and torched, and properties left shattered by bricks during the incomprehensible scenes.
Teesside Crown Court, Teesside University, and homes on Parliament Road, in particular, were left with “significant damage”, with pictures from the aftermath showing smashed glass scattered across pavements as clean-up operations get underway.
As communities rallied together to build back on Monday - sending a powerful message that they would “not let [rioters] divide us” - residents also spoke of their shock after the mob devastated several parts of the town.
Idnaan Rasab spoke to The Northern Echo this morning while a string of houses along his street were being boarded up.
The 38-year-old branded last night's behaviour as "narrow-minded" - adding: "I know that one family actually locked their children in the bathroom because people came into their house. But it is a minority - not a majority."
Another resident, who wished to remain anonymous, described how the group smashed the front window of his home, and two cars parked outside, on Sunday evening.
He said: "It’s something I’ve never seen before. We were just here and suddenly people with big bricks and sticks came - we didn’t do anything.
“They broke all my cars - I came here for something good and it was very distressing.
“We feel scared and threatened. It was absolutely terrifying, there were about 100 people here.
"It does leave you scared to be in your own home. There are even people saying they are going to go back to their home country if this continues.”
'Traumatised' residents are 'packing their suitcases'
Luqman Khan, owner of Tasty Shawarma and Grill on Parliament Road, was sweeping the road outside his takeaway shop on Monday, which had been charred after a car was torched outside.
The 40-year-old was fearful that the blaze could spread to the flats above, which houses several families, students, and families: “The shop is burnt, the door is burnt, the next property is burnt.
“However, the bigger picture is that this is not the only damage that has been caused to the property. It is the damage that has been caused to the community.
“People are traumatised, people are devastated. There are people who do not want to reside in this area. I have had few people turning up and saying they are packing their suitcases and relocating back to their countries.”
Another woman, who also wished to remain anonymous, said her 14-year-old grandson was sat on a wall as he watched the mob coming towards them.
“He said, Nanna, what is the matter with these people?”
Charity Hamilton, the methodist minister of Middlesbrough, said it was “gutting” to watch the scenes of devastation: “It was people intent on causing trouble and they don't represent this community.
Commenting on the clean-up effort, she added: "It is overwhelming and it's beautiful, it's what Middlesbrough is it's about community and friendship and sharing and it was lovely to stand here this morning with so many people.
Cleveland Police has so far made 43 arrests, although Chief Constable Mark Webster said more arrests will following during the day.
His message to rioters was simple: “Expect a knock on your door.”
Middlesbrough Mayor Chris Cooke joined in the clean-up and said the riots “did a dishonour” to the three children that lost their lives in the tragic incident in Southport.
He told The Echo: “They should rethink not only their behaviour last night but their behaviour over a long period of time. They will be dealt with, and they will feel the full force of the law.
Recommended reading:
- Sunderland riots: Three plead guilty as six appear in court
- Police confirm 43 arrests after violent disorder in Middlesbrough
- Middlesbrough mob turns violent in town centre disorder
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"Last night was absolutely awful, abhorrent, absolutely not what the town represents. Now what we're seeing is what the town actually represents.
“These people are doing absolutely amazing work. The council has been going since 6am with volunteers, it has been amazing to see.
"It shows them that there is no fear, we're not scared of them. This is our town and we will absolutely take ownership of it.”
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