Middlesbrough riots: Town bounces back at community clean-up

It was a dark day for the town on Sunday after it was engulfed by “shocking and frightening” riots that left homes smashed, businesses damaged, and cars set alight. 

But the utter devastation didn’t break Middlesbrough - instead, it fuelled the community to rally together and rebuild, as residents said: “We are not going to let them divide us.”

Carrying shovels, litter pickers, brushes, and bags of community spirit, an army of all ages and backgrounds came together at the Cenotaph on Monday morning in a bid to bounce back from the shocking scenes. 

Volunteers at a clean-up operation in Middlesbrough following a night of violent disorder (Image: ALEX O'LEARY)

Teams got straight to work, sweeping streets, repairing windows, and helping out in any way they could to prove Middlesbrough was “not scared” of the mindless rioters. 

While many were left “gutted” by the “heartbreaking” incident - which was initially advertised as a “peaceful demonstration” - they said the brick-hurling mob were “intent on causing trouble and don't represent this community”. 

But the scenes of devastation on Sunday were swapped for those of a “truly humbling” nature. 

The community, which was “under attack” just hours earlier, had been overwhelmed by friendship, togetherness, and mass support. 

Adam Dougan and Dan, owners of A D Bespoke Joinery, were just two of the people helping out, giving up their time free of charge to help the communities shattered by the events. 

Adam Dougan and Dan (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

The duo spent the day boarding up homes that had been smashed in by an array of items - simply wanting to offer help to the families hurt most by the events. 

“This type of behaviour does not really reflect the whole of Middlesbrough," Adam said. 

“We’ve just come down to help. We are going to speak to people with broken windows, and go and get the materials, and make them safe for them.”

Hundreds came to the clean-up in Middlesbrough (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Canon Glyn Holland, who has been the vicar of All Saints for 28 years, said that rioters would “not have the last word” because the community will “re-emerge stronger”.

He spoke to The Echo outside the Cenotaph, recalling the shocking moment he was “physically threatened and abused” during the incident. 

Canon Glyn Holland (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

However, he remained positive: “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."

'This shows you that we, as British citizens, are together'

Luqman Khan, who owns Shawarma and Grill on Parliament Road, was devastated after a car was torched outside his shop, burning the front of the store. 

But he joined a group of volunteers, who joined in to sweep up the charred debris from the street: “We have just cleaned the street here, people came from as far as Durham, Hartlepool, Stockton, Thornaby, and Ingleby Barwick. 

Luqman cleaning up with volunteers on Parliament Road (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
“This shows you that we, as British citizens, are together beyond our colours, races, religions, and different aspects of life.

“We are still in it together. We want the country to progress. We want our children to live freely. We want our families to not have to worry that their houses will be burnt down. 

“All we want is a safe neighbourhood for everyone where people preach, practice, and enjoy their lifestyle.” 

Luqman Khan (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Charity Hamilton, the methodist minister of Middlesbrough, said it was “beautiful” to see so many people come to the clean-up. 

“It's what Middlesbrough is,” she said. “It's about community and friendship and sharing and it was lovely to stand here this morning with so many people.” 

Sahida Ditta, from Amal Project Teesside, admitted she still “didn't have the words" to describe the incident that saw her community placed “under attack”. 

Volunteers at the Cenotaph in Middlesbrough (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

But she was also overwhelmed by the response on Monday: "It was quite overwhelming because when we put out the post on social media we did get a lot of response, but you never imagine this amount of people are going to turn up. 

"It shows that we are strong and we're not going to let them divide us because we're better than them."

Several Teesside political figures joined residents including Mayor Chris Cooke, Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland MP Luke Myer, Middlesbrough and Thornaby East MP Andy McDonald, and Darlington Council Deputy Leader Cllr Chris McEwan.

Speaking at the Cenotaph, Mr Cooke said people “allowed their anger and racism to come out” during the riots, and warned they would “feel the full force of the law”.

But he said that the clean-up was showing 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. 

Middlesbrough Mayor Chris Cooke (Image: ALEX O'LEARY)

“This is our town and we will absolutely take ownership of it.”

Andy McDonald said he was “utterly horrified” by the scenes, branding the “thuggery, racism, and criminality” as a “very very dark day for Middlesbrough”.

He said: "We bounce back within a day. You've seen the army of people coming out voluntarily, the beautiful people of Middlesbrough with their brushes, their brooms, their litter picks and their bags and their gloves. We're going to clean the town up. It's already started.

"These people are not going to win. They are racist thugs and they are going to feel the full force of the law and as the Prime Minister has said they are going to live to bitterly regret yesterday. There's more than 40 already arrested and many more to come.”

‘Rioters - expect a knock at the door’ 

Hundreds of rioters reigned terror across the town on Sunday during the violent disorder, which saw missiles fired at police, cars set alight, and properties shattered. 

A car burns after being overturned during violent scenes in Middlesbrough (Image: MICHAEL ROBINSON)

“Frightened” residents even told The Northern Echo that parents were forced to “lock their children in bathrooms” after the group entered their home. 

Teesside Crown Court, Teesside University, and homes on Parliament Road, in particular, were left with “significant damage”, with pictures showing a string of university buildings on the campus off Linthorpe Road now boarded up. 

Chief Constable Mark Webster (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Cleveland Police Chief Constable Mark Webster said he was “disgusted” by the behaviour but was “really proud” of the officers. 

Recommended reading:

• 'Traumatised' residents speak out after Middlesbrough riots
• LIVE: Clean-up underway after disorder in Middlesbrough
• Updated numbers of arrests following North East riots

Get more from The Northern Echo with a digital subscription. Get access for just £1.50 a week. Click here.

He said: “We've arrested 43 people and we'll carry on arresting them hour by hour.

"Some of the behaviour is similar [to Hartlepool], a number of people were charged with violent disorder in Hartlepool, we've got to work through the evidence so I don't want to make early judgements, but you can expect similar around events last night.

"We are absolutely resolute that every person we can identify we are going to be charging and put before the court, just as we did in Hartlepool. There were over 20 people arrested in Hartlepool and over 40 here, and we'll carry on doing that."