A66 vigil sees burnt-out cars and fireworks
Masked people turned out to remember Michael Cahill, one of the crash victims.
Hundreds of additional police officers have been deployed to Teesside following a series of violent incidents that have shaken the community.
The decision to bolster Cleveland Police with 200 extra officers came after a tragic head-on collision on the A66 last Saturday, which resulted in seven deaths, including two police officers.
Authorities are also investigating a fatal house fire that occurred near the crash site, claiming the lives of a seven-year-old girl and her aunt.
Thursday evening saw social media reports of cars on fire during a vigil in Haswell, County Durham, held to honour Michael Cahill, one of the crash victims.
Footage from the event showed crowds gathering with cars skidding on grassland and later videos showed burnt-out cars being removed.
The extra police support has come from various sources, including the National Crime Agency, as investigations continue into a Grangetown blaze near Middlesbrough.
Alec Brown, leader of Redcar and Cleveland Council, said over 200 police officers have been or will be deployed nationally to assist Cleveland Police.
He plans to appeal to the Prime Minister for further support, saying some officers are working 20-hour days to ensure public safety.
Anna Turley, MP for Redcar, reassured the public via a Facebook post, acknowledging their concern and affirming the ongoing significant response involving additional officers and resources.
She added, "People have a right to feel safe in their homes and in their communities. That is our absolute priority."
Residents have expressed worry after further incidents on Thursday, including a vehicle crashing into a wall in Steele Crescent, South Bank, and a stabbing of a man in his late 30s in Sedgemoor Road, Eston.
A nearby resident commented on the area saying, “TS6 has gone mad, it’s brutal.”
The head-on collision last Saturday involved a Volkswagen Passat and resulted in the deaths of Pc Matthew Blades, 37, Pc Tom Clough, 38, and five other young men aged between 17 and 23.
Following the incident, police arrested 17 individuals, charging two, with others on bail as investigations into organised crime continue.
In connection with the Grangetown fire, two men were arrested on suspicion of murder after the deaths of Natalie McDonald, 34, and Valentina Foster, 7.
Natalie’s brother, Josh Kirton, lamented the loss, insisting she had no gang connections. He said, "There’s some terrible people in the world and now my sister and Valentina have gone."
Police continue investigations into the South Bank crash, with links to organised crime still unconfirmed.