“It’s a dangerous situation we’re in at the moment. I’m speaking to people who are terrified and frightened. It’s like that TV show, This City Is Ours… our town is burning.”
These were the stark words of a veteran local councillor in Middlesbrough as the Government agreed to send at least 200 extra police officers from neighbouring regions to deal with gang warfare that has spiralled out of control in recent days.
Despite being an elected politician, she asked not to be identified due to the current tensions and the fear of becoming a target in the escalating tit-for-tat violence.
Last weekend, two police officers and five young men died when a VW Passat fleeing a pursuit smashed into a patrol car while travelling the wrong way down the A66.
Police have now said they believe the chase is linked to an incident where another vehicle, a Volvo XC60, rammed the home of Cole Worthy, one of the boys in the Passat, in the early hours of the morning.
