Hundreds of extra police officers have been drafted into the Middlesbrough area following reports of violence linked to the recent fatal A66 collision, according to national and local media reports including The Independent and Gazette Live. Footage has also emerged showing cars reportedly being set on fire in a field during a memorial event held for those who died in the crash.

More than 200 mutual aid officers—including detectives and armed response personnel from forces across the country—have been deployed to Cleveland to assist local emergency services. Alec Brown, leader of Redcar and Cleveland Council, said the reinforcements were brought in to protect residents across the borough.

The escalation follows a series of serious incidents across the area in recent days. On Thursday, a 39-year-old man was taken to hospital after an assault involving a bladed weapon on Sedgemoor Road in Eston at around midday. Cleveland Police confirmed no arrests have yet been made in connection with that attack.

Earlier that morning, at around 12.30am, a vehicle crashed into the wall of an unoccupied house on Steele Crescent in South Bank. Superintendent Emily Harrison confirmed no injuries were reported, with officers investigating potential links to wider organised crime.

Those incidents occurred in the wake of a fatal house fire on Birchington Avenue in Grangetown during the early hours of Wednesday. Natalie McDonald, 34, and her seven-year-old niece, Valentina Foster, were killed in the blaze. Two men, aged 23 and 31, who were arrested on suspicion of murder remain in police custody.

Combined with Saturday's head-on collision on the A66, which claimed the lives of two police officers and five young men, nine people have died in the area over recent days.

Middlesbrough and Thornaby East MP Andy McDonald told Times Radio that residents were feeling unsafe in their homes, calling for a robust policing response to deal with those causing disruption.

I will continue following the investigation and provide updates as further official details emerge.