LIVE: Chaos in Middlesbrough as rioters clash with police, attack cars and hurl bricks [Video]

A large group has gathered in Middlesbrough town centre on Sunday for what has been described as a protest.

The gathering comes following a week of violence across the country in protests that police have linked to the tragic alleged mass stabbing in Southport. Posts widely shared on social media said that a protest was planned for 2pm in Middlesbrough.

A number of businesses in the town centre and along Linthorpe Road have announced they are closed. Buses have also changed their routes on Sunday.

The Middlesbrough protest comes four days after ‘disorder’ broke out in Hartlepool in scenes that so far have seen nearly 20 people arrested, including children. There has also been violence elsewhere in the North-east, as rioters set fire to cars and shops in Sunderland on Friday.

We’ll provide live updates on this event below.

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