Middlesbrough MP condemns outbreak of gang violence with residents 'afraid to leave homes' - as masked youths torch cars at A66 crash vigil and 200 extra cops drafted in

A Middlesbrough MP has condemned the violence gripping the town as 'terrorism', with residents left 'trapped in their homes' after nine people were killed and 19 arrests were made in less than a week.More than 200 extra officers from across the UK have been deployed to help Cleveland Police after an outbreak of gang violence following the head-on crash which killed PCs Matthew Blades and Tom Clough and five youths on Saturday.Police have arrested 17 people aged between 18 and 61 across Teesside as part of their investigation, who were detained on a range of offences – including being part of an organised crime group. Another two men, aged 31 and 23, have been arrested on suspicion of murder after seven-year-old Valentina Foster and her aunt, Natalie McDonald, 34, were killed in a house fire in Grangetown, around one mile from the A66 crash, on Wednesday.Police are investigating possible links to wider organised crime but have not yet established whether the incidents are connected.A house in South Bank was also rammed into by a car in the early hours of Thursday morning, mere minutes away from the other scenes. The property was empty and police have also not yet confirmed if it is linked to wider organised crime.Several other ram attacks have been carried out in Middlesbrough – including against the father of one of the A66 fatalities just hours before the crash. It comes as at least 12 armed police swooped on a residential street about five miles away from Grangetown last night, shouting for the occupants of a house to come to the front door.The incident lasted around an hour on Roseberry View in Thornaby while officers from Cleveland Police along with the additional help from nearby forces surrounded front and back.Several occupants of the house were brought out one by one, but the force has not yet confirmed whether there is any link to investigations following the A66 crash on Saturday.'People are saying that they are going to their shops and not feeling safe to do so and feeling trapped in their own homes,' Andy McDonald, the MP for Middlesbrough and Thornaby East, told Times Radio.'That is just unacceptable. This is terrorism and we've got to have an appropriate response to deal with the people who are causing such mayhem in our communities and to allow people to lead their peaceful lives.'Mr McDonald earlier told BBC Radio 4 there appeared to be a 'causal link with organised crime'. It comes as a mob of youths last night torched several cars and set off fireworks at a balloon release vigil for one of the A66 crash gang.Teenagers in tracksuits gathered to remember Michael Cahill, 23 – one of the five young men who died in the wrong-way crash that claimed the lives of two police officers. At least 12 armed police swoop on a residential street in Thornaby overnight A man is lead out of a property as armed police swoop on a residential street in Thornaby The incident lasted around an hour on Roseberry View in Thornaby overnight Police swooped on the residential street in Thornaby, about five miles away from Grangetown Several occupants of the house in Thornaby were brought out one by one overnightAt least five cars were set ablaze on Thursday night in a horse field near Haswell, County Durham, with the startled animals looking on from afar.The site was around 15 miles from Middlesbrough.Former Middlesbrough mayor Andy Preston said the town was 'on its knees' – as he warned the ongoing feuds between criminal gangs could escalate further. Cleveland Police, one of the smallest forces in the country, has seen its resources stretched to breaking point this week.The Government has now responded with 200 extra police officers from around the country, 'from detectives to armed response', being dispatched after MPs in the area appealed for help.Last night social media footage showed dozens congregate in the middle of a field in Peterlee with bikers revving engines and car horns blaring. Cars were first driven erratically around the field, throwing up mud and crashing through hedges, before some were parked and set alight to whoops from the crowd.Hooded youths were setting off blue smoke flares and fireworks and released balloons spelling out 'Michael' into the sky. Clips of the antics posted online were captioned 'Rest in peace Micky'.After the mob cleared, footage showed smouldering, burnt-out car shells lying on scorched grass while locals used farm machinery to begin the clear up. Michael's mother had earlier called for 'bikes, jeeps, cars and quad bikes' to gather for her son's send-off.Several cars were set ablaze by hooded youths in a field near Haswell, 15 miles from Middlesbrough, last nightThe cars were parked up in different spots around the field and torched Clips of the cars skidding around the field were captioned 'Rest in peace Micky' in reference to Michael Cahill, one of the A66 fatalities The chaotic scenes broke out at a memorial organised for Cahill, 23, who died in the A66 crash A statement from Michael's mother called for different types of vehicles to gather Many of the young people gathered reached for their phones to film the cars burning Scores of blue balloons spelling out 'Michael' were released into the sky Burnt-out shells were all the remained of the vehicles, surrounded by scorched grassShe wrote on social media on Thursday morning: 'Change of plans michales [sic] baloon release Thursday peterlee White House opposite on field come on lads bikes jeeps cars quads give him send of he deserves'.Remnants of fireworks, smoke canisters and balloons were scattered around the field on Friday morning.Scorch marks were visible in the field and cars that were torched have since been removed.After the tribute to Cahill, locals reported horses being 'absolutely terrified' by the scenes unfolding in their field.Violence, believed to be a fallout from the crash that killed PCs Matthew Blades, 37, and Tom Clough, 38, has spiralled across Teesside. Alec Brown, leader of Redcar and Cleveland Council, said more than 200 extra police officers have been or will be sent from around the country to support Cleveland Police and that he would be asking the Prime Minister for more support.He said officers were 'working 20-hour days to ensure the ongoing safety of innocent residents'.Anna Turley, MP for Redcar, said in a Facebook post: 'I know how worried people are, and understandably people want to know what is being done.'There is a significant response under way, with additional officers and resources being brought into our area and agencies working together around the clock.'She added: 'People have a right to feel safe in their homes and in their communities. That is our absolute priority.'Yesterday two further incidents saw a car crash into a wall outside a South Bank home and a 39-year-old stabbed around midday in nearby Eston.A resident near the site of the stabbing said people in the area were 'trying to keep our heads down'.Referring to the postcode which covers Eston, Grangetown and South Bank, among other areas, he said: 'TS6 has gone mad, it's brutal.' Valentina Foster, seven, and her aunt Natalie McDonald, 34, died in a suspicious house fire on WednesdayA house in the South Bank area of Middlesbrough was rammed by a car in the early hours of Thursday A house in Acklam, Middlesbrough, linked to the father of Cole Worthy, one of the young men who died in the A66 crash, was rammed hours before Saturday's crash Armed police on the scene of the suspected knife attack in Eston on ThursdayOn Thursday afternoon, armed police swarmed a house on the Bankfield estate in Eston after a 39-year-old man was stabbed. It was reported yesterday the man is receiving treatment following the assault.The decision was announced by Cllr Brown of Redcar and Cleveland in a social media post.'Over 200 extra police officers from forces around the country are here and are en route, from detectives to armed response,' he wrote.'I will be sending a letter today to our Prime Minister asking for even more resources.''People need to feel safe in their homes,' Mr Brown added.Middlesbrough has the highest crime rate in England excluding central London, and rival criminal groups have been spreading fear among residents.Gatherings had been held earlier in the week to remember the other four men who died in the VW Passat.Friends and relatives of Jacob Matusiak, 23, and 17-year-olds Cole Worthy and Theo Rae, congregated on a grassy area in Middlesbrough on Wednesday. A group gathered in Middlesbrough on Wednesday in memory of three of the five young men who diedBlue smoke from flares filled the air outside the East Middlesbrough Events Centre Messages remembering the young men spray-painted on East Middlesbrough Events CentreBlue smoke from flares filled the air and children were among those assembled next to the East Middlesbrough Events Centre, previously known as Middlebeck Social Club.Messages have been spray-painted on the building reading: 'RIP The Boys', 'Never Be Forgotten RIP The Lads' and the initials of those in the car with 'Rest easy boys'.Community group Active Tees Valley, which operates the venue, has criticised the vandalism, saying that 'damaging buildings that are being used to support local residents ultimately impacts the same community we are all trying to look after'.Meanwhile, an inquest into the deaths of the two officers was told on Thursday that they died from head and neck injuries.In consecutive hearings, coroner Paul Appleton said PC Blades was identified by his wife, and PC Clough by his partner.The provisional cause of death was said to be head and neck injuries for PC Blades, and neck injuries for PC Clough.Mr Appleton told the hearing that 'all occupants of both vehicles were sadly pronounced dead at the scene'.