Yahoo News CSI, shattered glass and burnt out cars: Everything we know about 'targeted' Stockton arson attacks
The police spotlight fell on Stockton following a night of arson attacks.
Shattered glass, burnt out cars and fire damaged homes remain as evidence of the night of carnage on Myrtle Road, Hawthorne Road and Faraday Drive. Cleveland Police, Cleveland Fire Brigade and the North East Ambulance Service scrambled to the residential streets at around 11.20pm on Thursday.
A 17-year-old boy arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm and arson with intent to endanger life remains in police custody and a second male arrested, a 27-year-old man, has been arrested on suspicion of affray. He also remains in police custody.
Teesside Live visited the scene on Friday - here’s everything we know so far:
What do we know about the Faraday Drive arson?
Cleveland Police confirmed that shortly before 11.20pm a car and a house were set alight on Faraday Drive. The fire is being treated as deliberate.
What's at the scene?
Teesside Live visited the scene on Friday morning and now know that it is a semi-detached property involved in the incident which has a burnt out blue Ford Focus on the driveway. The front door also has smashed glass.
There appears to be smoke damage throughout the car and the back windscreen is smashed. Shards are visible on the driveway surrounding the vehicle. Both the passenger and driver doors remain open as well as the bonnet.
Is there a cordon on Faraday Drive?
Yes, there is a large cordon at the scene, with one Cleveland Police vehicle remaining stationed. There are approximately eight houses inside the cordon.
What have residents said?
One Teesside mum, who lives on Faraday Drive, commented that the estate has declined in recent years. She said “You wipe your feet on the way out of this estate. It used to be nice when I was growing up but now it's not with all the yobs. They walk past and throw things at the window.”
Another neighbour has told us of the moment she heard a 'really big bang' before emergency services arrived on scene. They said: “I was in bed scrolling on my phone when I heard this banging. I thought it was just an argument between spouses but then I heard this really big bang. I looked out the window and saw all the smoke billowing. There were two fire engines, a police van and an ambulance.”
What happened on Hawthorne Road?
Cleveland Police told us that at 11.20pm the force received reports of a firearms discharge at a property on Hawthorne Road. The residential street is around two miles, or a seven minute drive from Faraday Drive. Myrtle Road is 0.2 miles from Hawthorne Road and a one minute drive away.
However, in an updated statement issued on Friday night, the force said following further crime scene examination and liaison with witnesses at the scene, it has now been established that there is no evidence that a firearm was discharged at any of these incidents.
What does the scene look like?
A semi-detached house has been cordoned off and three police officers are stationed at the scene. There appears to be fire damage to the front door of the property around the letter box.
A van on the driveway has also suffered fire damage. A window at the front of the property has been damaged with a large hole in the glass.
Did anyone see the blaze?
One resident, who heard 'all the commotion' on Thursday night, said: “It's scary. The van is a complete right off, it's been torched. We heard a loud bang and heard all the commotion. The house window is smashed. It's shocking when something like this happens on your doorstep.”
Are CSI at the scene?
Yes, crime scene investigators began investigations at Hawthorne Road around 11.25am. The officer, dressed in a white suit, is taking photos of the van, front door and inside the property.
What about Myrtle Road?
Cleveland Police previously told us that three vehicles were set alight on Myrtle Road at around 11.30pm and are being investigated as arson.
A cordon has been erected across the street, with one police car stationed at the scene. Myrtle Road is around two miles, or a seven minute drive, from Faraday Drive. A black Mercedes car appears to have been damaged. The passenger window has been smashed with shards of glass visible on the road. The windscreen has also been damaged.
Another vehicle inside the cordon also appears to have fire damage. The silver car, which is believed to be a Vauxhall Insignia, is parked on a driveway. There appears to be fire damage on the bonnet of the vehicle.
Were any homes damaged on Myrtle Road?
There's a semi-detached property on Myrtle Road which has been damaged. The front window is smashed with two separate cracks, one on the larger pane of glass and, what appears to be, multiple smaller holes in the smaller pane of glass.
However, residents haven't reported hearing any gunshots and Cleveland Police didn't report any other incidents apart from three vehicles being damaged.
So what do we know about Myrtle Road?
There's six semi-detached homes inside the cordon - three properties on either side of the road. Four cars are also inside the taped off police area. One police van remained at the scene on Friday morning and officers are conducting door to door enquiries.
We can only see two fire damaged cars at the scene - but Cleveland Police confirmed that three vehicles had been set alight. Another semi-detached home has been damaged with its front window smashed. However, it is not clear if this is linked to Thursday's incidents.
What have Cleveland Police told us so far?
A force spokesperson released a statement shortly before 2am on Friday. They said: “There is currently a large policing presence in the Myrtle Road, Hawthorne Road and Faraday Drive areas of Stockton as officers respond to numerous incidents that occurred on Thursday 2 May. At 11.20pm police received reports of a firearms discharge at a property on Hawthorne Road. A 17-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm and arson with intent to endanger life and is currently in police custody.
“Shortly before 11.20pm a car and a house were set alight on Faraday Drive. The fire is being treated as deliberate. Three vehicles have been set alight on Myrtle Road at around 11.30pm and are being investigated as arson.Enquiries in relation to the incidents are now underway and at this stage are currently believed to be linked and targeted.”
In an updated statement on Friday evening, they added: "Following incidents at three properties in Stockton on Thursday 2nd May, a 17-year-old boy and a 27-year-old man remain in police custody.
"Enquiries are continuing into reports of incidents shortly after 11pm on Hawthorne Road, Faraday Drive and Myrtle Road; where two properties and a number of cars were set alight. Fortunately, no one was injured in the incidents. Following further crime scene examination and liaison with witnesses at the scene, it has now been established that there is no evidence that a firearm was discharged at any of these incidents.
"Officers continue to link these incidents at this stage, and believe that they are targeted attacks. A 17-year-old boy arrested yesterday evening remains in police custody and a second male arrested, a 27-year-old man, has been arrested on suspicion of affray. He also remains in police custody."
Has anyone been injured?
The force has stated that there are believed to be no reported injuries connected to these incidents.
Should residents be concerned?
Senior Investigating Officer, DCI Stuart Hodgson, said: “I understand that these incidents will be concerning for local communities, but I would like to reassure local residents that we believe these are targeted incidents, which are being linked at this time.
“A number of arrests have been made and our enquiries are continuing. We are appealing for witnesses and would request that anyone with information gets in touch.
“High visibility patrols will take place in the area to reassure the local community.”
What should I do if I have information?
If you have information, please contact Cleveland Police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
