With tensions running high across the country, reports of 'riots' in Darlington began circulating on social media last night (Monday, August 5). Andrew White describes the scene.

Like many people, I first heard of reports of a disturbance in the Gladstone Street area of Darlington via social media.

Facebook posts with pictures of police officers with shields and talk of violent clashes were rife.

It seemed that the disorder was centred on North Lodge Road, the location of the town's mosque.

But how reliable were the social media posts? Was there really a riot in Darlington, or was this exaggerated or even misinformation based on rumours and word of mouth?

Making my way to the scene at about 10pm, the first thing I noticed was a police van on Corporation Road, guarding the entrance to North Lodge Park. It was clear that something was going on.

There was also a police van at the entrance to Gladstone Street from Northgate and, similarly, at the Greenbank Road end.

Police stand guard at the Northgate entrance to Gladstone Street in Darlington (Image: CRAIG STODDART)

There were plenty of people on the streets - mostly residents - hearing, as I had, that there was some trouble and wondering what was happening.

I could hear nothing which suggested to me that there was a serious disturbance, but the heavy police presence and a police helicopter constantly circulating overhead added to a sense of menace.

I made my way to the Kendrew Street car park, where I had heard there were people congregating. Several cars stopped on St Augustines Road to take in the scene.

On arrival at the car park, there were several people, mostly youths - males and females - some of them quite animated. I walked past a couple of lads wearing balaclavas - not a good sign - but that was the only indication I could see of anybody turning up ready for trouble.

Suddenly, up to half a dozen lads ran past me and one shouted: "What's he doing with that machete?"

I didn't see anybody carrying a weapon, but moved away and as I walked down St Augustines Way, a chap stopped me and warned me he'd seen someone with a knife.

Back on Greenbank Road, a man had a terse exchange with police officers when they stopped him driving down Gladstone Street. He reversed, parked up and glared at the officers as he walked down the street instead. That was the angriest I saw anyone all night.

On Gladstone Street itself, there were plenty of people standing around, many on mobile phones. Again, mostly nearby residents just trying to see what, if anything, was going on.

At the entrance to North Lodge Road itself there was another police van and some officers on the street. They were talking to one or two youths, but again no signs of any serious disturbance.

There were still other youths around the edge of the street and in the car park. I think milling around is the best description of their demeanour.

A police van at the Gladstone Street entrance to North Lodge TerraceA police van at the Gladstone Street entrance to North Lodge Terrace (Image: ANDREW WHITE)

It appeared that the crowds were dispersing a little so I took myself away from the scene.

I did not get the sense that this had been an organised demonstration, march or rally. There were no flags, no banners, no shouting or chanting like there has been at some of the large-scale scenes of violent disorder in other North East locations in the last week.

Read more:

Flash Sale Alert! Dive deeper into the stories that shape the region with The Northern Echo. Unlimited local news, an ad-free app, and a digital replica of our print edition—all with 80 per cent fewer ads on our site. Subscribe now for a faster news experience

I suspect many of those present were there because of what they had seen and read on social media - and I was worried that others with more serious intentions may have turned up having thought there was a 'riot'.

It's fair to say that the recent appalling scenes elsewhere, which clearly prompted the large police response in Darlington, had created an uneasy atmosphere.

Yes, there was an air of tension, no it wasn't pleasant - but it definitely wasn't a riot.