Torching cars at A66 crash vigil ‘completely unacceptable’, say police

Five Cars Set Alight at Haswell Vigil Following A66 Tragedy Draw Sharp Police Condemnation

Traveloasisspot.com – County Durham’s communities, still reeling from a week of devastating violence, were confronted with yet another disturbing spectacle when five vehicles were deliberately set ablaze in a private field near Haswell on Thursday evening. Durham Constabulary, responding to calls received shortly after 5:30 p.m., found a large gathering of people releasing balloons, flares, and fireworks while the cars burned. Officers assessed the contained field, determined there was no immediate danger to the wider public, and allowed the fires to burn out completely.

The vigil, understood to have been organised in memory of Michael Cahill, a 23-year-old victim of the A66 head-on collision, drew criticism from senior police leadership. Assistant Chief Constable Jon McAdam labelled the conduct “completely unacceptable” and urged the public to share his condemnation of anyone who would exploit a tragedy as cover for disorder.

“The behaviour we saw at last night’s gathering was completely unacceptable. Our officers and the communities of County Durham and Darlington were understandably horrified by the tragedy which unfolded on the A66 last week which resulted in multiple deaths, including two serving police officers. We utterly condemn anyone who would use that tragedy as an excuse for disorder and expect the overwhelming majority of the public would join us in doing so.”

The A66 Collision and Its Aftermath

The crash that triggered this week of grief occurred on Saturday and claimed the lives of two serving police officers alongside five young men in a head-on collision on the A66. The scale of the loss sent shockwaves through Middlesbrough, County Durham, and Darlington, prompting an immediate surge in community vigils and public gatherings. Within days, however, the atmosphere of mourning was complicated by further incidents: a house fire in Grangetown, near Middlesbrough, killed a seven-year-old girl and her aunt on Wednesday, and police have not ruled out a connection between that blaze and the earlier road crash.

Reports of additional disturbances — including a stabbing and vehicles being driven into residential properties — compounded the sense of instability. In response, hundreds of additional officers have been deployed to the area, drawn from multiple forces including the National Crime Agency, to relieve pressure on Cleveland Police staff and support ongoing investigations.

What Happened at the Haswell Field

A force spokesman confirmed that most attendees had travelled from outside County Durham, arriving with their own vehicles. Over roughly an hour, the group released balloons, ignited flares and fireworks, and set five cars alight. Because the field was enclosed and officers judged there was no threat beyond its boundaries, the burning was permitted to run its course. No injuries were recorded and no arrests were made.

Videos circulating on social media on Thursday evening captured multiple cars engulfed in flames. By Friday, footage showed a tractor hauling the burnt-out wrecks away from the field, situated approximately 20 miles north of the A66 crash site. A walk-through of the site on Friday revealed scattered debris — fragments of fireworks, spent smoke canisters, and balloon remnants — along with visible scorch marks on the ground. The vehicles had been removed, though a section of a front bumper was still lying in place.

Political Reactions and Calls for Firm Action

Labour MP Andy McDonald, who represents Middlesbrough and Thornaby East, used the word “terrorism” to describe the pattern of violence gripping the area. Speaking to Times Radio, he called for a proportionate but decisive response to those he said were inflicting mayhem on local communities.

“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.”

Anna Turley, MP for Redcar and Home Office minister, echoed the police line in a Facebook post, describing the Haswell scenes as “completely unacceptable.” She warned that such conduct endangers lives, places additional strain on already stretched emergency services, and leaves residents frightened in their own neighbourhoods.

“After everything our area has endured over the past week, I will not accept this kind of behaviour becoming normalised.”

Turley said she had written to Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council and to the Police and Crime Commissioner, requesting a zero-tolerance stance toward dangerous and anti-social behaviour and urging that every available statutory power be deployed to protect residents.

Alec Brown, leader of Redcar & Cleveland Council, told Times Radio that he had written to Prime Minister Andy Burnham to thank the Government for the additional policing resources while pressing for further support. Brown noted that several estates in the borough have ranked among the most deprived in the country over the preceding five to ten years, a context he argued made the community especially vulnerable to the kind of disorder now unfolding.

What Comes Next

With investigations into both the Grangetown fire and the A66 crash continuing, and with hundreds of extra officers now operating across the region, local authorities and police say the coming weeks will test whether the surge in resources can restore a sense of security. For families still processing the loss of loved ones, the sight of cars burning in a field meant as a tribute has added a layer of frustration to an already unbearable week — and one that, as both police and politicians have stressed, must not be allowed to become routine.