Serious disorder at a balloon release for one of the young men who died in the A66 car crash is “unacceptable”, an MP has said.
Durham Police said a large crowd gathered on a privately owned field near Haswell, County Durham, on Thursday evening where five vehicles were set on fire and balloons, flares, and fireworks were released.
Redcar MP Anna Turley said it put lives at risk, while Assistant Chief Constable Jon McAdam said the force condemned “anyone who would use that tragedy as an excuse for disorder”.
In an update on Friday afternoon, Cleveland Police ACC Dave Sutherland said the force was not currently linking the A66 crash to a house fire which killed a woman and a seven-year-old girl.
It had previously said it could not rule out a link to organised crime in relation to the house fire and the crash.
Earlier this week 17 people were arrested in connection with the investigation into the crash which killed PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38,
Seven more men have also been arrested, bringing the total number of arrests to 24.
Turley said the police force had been “at pains to say we shouldn’t think that these are all connected, and we shouldn’t be jumping to conclusions”.
The BBC understands the King has written to the families of two officers killed in the crash to express his deepest sympathies for their loss.
Meanwhile Middlesbrough FC said it would ask supporters to pay their respects to the officers before Saturday’s fixture against West Bromwich Albion.
“We are also showing our appreciation for the dedication and hard work of both men, and to Cleveland police force in protecting and supporting our local community,” the club said in a statement.
Seven people, including PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough, died in the crash near Middlesbrough on Saturday. Two people were arrested on suspicion of murder following the house fire in Grangetown, near Middlesbrough, on Wednesday.
With regards to Thursday night’s disorder, Labour Home Office minister Turley said it “put lives at risk” and left residents “frightened and angry in their own communities”.
She added: “People have a right to grieve and to pay their respects – but people also have a right to feel safe in their own homes and neighbourhoods.”
