'Appalling' moment police are attacked with bricks and fireworks by mob of up to 100 teenagers

Shocking footage of police officers being surrounded and attacked by up to 100 teenagers in Durham town centre has been released.

The ‘appalling scenes’ show an officer being punched in the face and others being pelted with bricks and fireworks.

The footage was taken from officers’ body-cams and is the latest in a number of recent videos recording attacks on police.

Police were at the location, in the Stanley area of Durham, to attend to a report from a vulnerable female at a bus station.

Durham Police have subsequently called on parents to take responsibility for their children following the disturbance on the evening of Saturday 3 November and brought mums and dads in to witness the disturbing footage.

The police can be seen urging people to leave the scene before the trouble starts.

Officers say: “We are asking people nicely to move away”, before tensions rise and they shout: “Everybody out, move back now.”

Police Sergeant Emma Kay said the worst of the violence was caused by a ‘hardcore’ group of individuals, but many more others stood on the side lines.

“Disorder of this kind is totally unacceptable and violence against our officers will not be tolerated,” she said.

“Action will be taken against all the individuals involved that night and Stanley Police will continue to take positive action against anyone involved in this type of behaviour.

“Parents were asked to come and review the footage from the officers’ body cams that night and they all agreed the behaviour of the children was appalling.

“While there is a hardcore group of individuals involved in this incident, there are many more people stood on the sidelines, young people who are going to affect their life chances by continuing to engage in this type of behaviour.

“We are asking for parents to step up to the plate, take responsibility for your children.

“Do you know where they are, or are they going to bring trouble to your door?”

Police have also set up a text message service, which will alert parents when there is trouble in the town centre and it will tell them to collect their teenagers.