A teenager has been arrested after "sporadic pockets of violent disorder" erupted in Darlington. 

Officers were deployed to the North Lodge Park area on Monday evening after two large groups of mostly males gathered shortly after 9pm. 

This resulted in small pockets of serious violence, which saw bricks being hurled at officers who attended the scene.  

Durham Constabulary has confirmed that an 18-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of violent disorder, assaulting a police officer and possession of a controlled drug.

He has been taken to police custody where he remains this morning. 

Section 60 and 60AA powers have now been authorised in the area, giving officers enhanced stop and search capabilities and authority to order people to remove face coverings which are intended to disguise or conceal their appearance.

Pictures taken on Monday show several officers standing in a line in front of the large crowd on Gladstone Street, with riot vans also spotted at the scene. 

(Image: The Northern Echo)

The incident follows several across the region in recent days, with violent disorders taking place in the likes of Sunderland, Hartlepool, and most recently Middlesbrough. 

Assistant Chief Constable Richie Allen said: “What we have been dealing with tonight in Darlington has been sporadic pockets of violent disorder involving groups of people intent on causing serious harm to our communities and their property.

“We deployed a number of officers to the scene who worked throughout the night to disperse those involved.

“We were supported by officers from Cleveland and Northumbria Police and were assisted by our partners at the fire and ambulance service at the scene, for which I am grateful.

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“We will not tolerate violent disorder in our communities. If you were there committing criminal acts, we will do everything in our power to find you and deal with you robustly.”

If you have any information that could assist identifying those responsible for this disorder, please contact us on 101, or use the live chat function on our website.

Information can also be submitted anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their website at www.crimestoppers-org.uk