A series of raids have been carried out as a community continues to come to terms with the violence that erupted when rioters smashed up their town centre.

An 11-year-old was among the 14 people arrested as more than 50 officers targeted suspects identified following hours of CCTV footage scrutiny.

Senior officers described the disorder as the worst they had seen in 30-years’ experience as pensioners were forced to barricade themselves indoors and terrified families too scared to leave home.

Dozens of people were arrested in the immediate aftermath of the rioting in Middlesbrough but more suspects were rounded up as Operation Macadamia hit the roads.

Superintendent Marc Anderson described the rioting as the worst he had seen during his policing career.

He added: “What the community had to put up with that day was shocking.”

Suspect being arrested at an address on Laburnum Road, Redcar.Suspect being arrested at an address on Laburnum Road, Redcar. (Image: Newsquest)

Eight arrest teams were given their own individual targets as morning raids were carried out across the Middlesbrough and Redcar area to round up those believed to have been responsible for the carnage.

The latest arrests came more than three weeks after the town centre went up in flames.

Hundreds of people clashed with Cleveland Police officers as they struggled to maintain order as the protesters marched through the town.

This morning, some of those suspected to have been involved in the violent disorder received a surprise knock on the door from officers.

Another suspect being arrested at an address in MiddlesbroughAnother suspect being arrested at an address in Middlesbrough (Image: Newsquest)

Detective Chief Inspector Sarah Robinson said: “We have been out arresting those believed to be involved in the disorder in Middlesbrough.

“The investigation continues we have got thousands of hours of CCTV footage to trawl through, so the very clear message is – if you were involved in the disorder, you will be identified, you will be arrested and you will be put before the court.”

Police searching for evidence in a carPolice searching for evidence in a car (Image: Newsquest)

So far 110 people have been arrested following the disorder on Sunday August 4 with 14 suspects being picked up during today’s raids targeting the suspected rioters.

Arrests were made at properties on Laburnum Road, Redcar, and in South Bank, while one suspect handed himself into police after officers searched his home and attended his work place.

Some of the rioters have already been dealt with at court and received significant prison sentences for their role in the violent disorder.

A car which had been set alight during riots in MiddlesbroughA car which had been set alight during riots in Middlesbrough (Image: Newsquest)

DCI Robinson said: “It has been really swift justice, some of those arrested for disorder on August 4 were in court the following Friday where they were sentenced.”


See more court stories from The Northern Echo by clicking here

Get more from The Northern Echo with a digital subscription. Get access for £3 for 3 months or 30% off an annual subscription. Offer ends on Wednesday, September 11. Click her for details.


The community came together to tidy up the devastation wreaked by the rioters but the impact on residents is still being felt today.

She added: “Some of the stories are absolutely heartbreaking. We have been told about an elderly lady who had to lock herself in the bathroom as it was the only place she felt safe.

“Children have been scared to come out their homes for days after this disorder. So that is why we are taking a pro-active approach to this and we are arresting those responsible.”

Operation Macadamia resulted in 14 people, aged between 11 and 43, being arrested following the violent disorder, including one woman, nine men, and four juveniles.