A long-standing Middlesbrough priest has spoken of how he was fearful that he would end up in A&E after violent disorder erupted in the town centre. 

Canon Glyn Holland, who has been the vicar of All Saints in the heart of the town for 28 years, was “physically threatened and abused” during the shocking scenes on Sunday. 

He said rioters were “shouting” at him - saying he “should be ashamed” because he “doesn’t want British people to have a homeland”. 

Canon Glyn HollandCanon Glyn Holland (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Canon Holland said he felt like the Cenotaph, just off Linthorpe Road, and all it stood for was “violated” during the incident - but thanked Chief Constable Mark Webster personally for the help of police at the scene. 

The shocking riots in Middlesbrough town centre on Sunday saw a string of homes smashed, cars torched, and bricks hurled at police officers on the front line. 

But speaking to The Northern Echo on Monday at the clean-up operation outside the Cenotaph, Canon Holland said the people who took part would “not have the last word” - because the community “is going to re-emerge stronger”.

Police on Linthorpe Road in MiddlesbroughPolice on Linthorpe Road in Middlesbrough (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

He explained: “I've stood in front of this cenotaph 20 times to lead the Remembrance Day service for the town. 

"Yesterday standing on the opposite side of the road I just felt that this space was being violated and all that it stood for they were attempting to destroy, and I felt really emotional about that.

“For the first time in 28 years, I was physically threatened and abused and that really shook me.” 

Police at the riots in MiddlesbroughPolice at the riots in Middlesbrough (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

He continued: “The people who did this yesterday were not Middlesbrough people, they came in to destroy what Middlesbrough stands for and they will fail because Middlesbrough is its people and its people are strong."

“What can I say? You can’t have a reasonable conversation with unreasonable people, to put it simply. 

“They were shouting questions but I really felt there was no point in trying to engage because you are dealing with and trying to bring reason and rationality into a fundamentally disordered situation. 

"They were saying I should be ashamed of myself because I don't want British people to have a homeland. What exactly does that mean? That's just ridiculous."

In a final message, he said: "Just look at this Remembrance Day memorial here, they gave their lives during the war for this carnage here. Is that honouring their memory? Where were the true British values yesterday."

Cleveland Police has so far made 43 arrests, with Chief Constable Mark Webster saying the number would increase over the day. 

A massive clean-up got underway from 8am on Monday, with hundreds of residents turning out to help sweep rubbish and debris from the riots. 

Teesside Crown Court, Teesside University, and homes in Parliament Road were left with “significant damage” - with many properties and buildings boarded up. 

Communities say they have been left “frightened” over the incident, with one resident even noting how parents were forced to “lock their children in bathrooms” after rioters entered homes.

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Middlesbrough Mayor Chris Cooke said it was “truly humbling” to see so many rally together to help the town: “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.”