Protesters throw 'bricks and metal beam' at riot police in Hartlepool as hundreds gather in town centre

Men in balaclavas are said to be hitting the police with huge wooden bats.

Locals say demonstrators are also throwing themselves against officers.

"There's a full on riot at the other end of the street. All the roads over there are blocked. they're throwing bricks," one resident told The Northern Echo.

Another added: "I've never seen anything like it in my life."

Labour MP for Hartlepool Jonathan Brash issued a statement in response, saying: "I'm deeply concerned about the situation that is developing in Hartlepool this evening I will be meeting with police to discuss the response to this incident and would urge calm to allow our emergency services to do their job."

He added: "These events do not represent what Hartlepool us or the values that our people hold. Violence is never the answer."

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A statement issued by police said: "Officers remain in the Murray Street area while dealing with disorder after responding to a protest - several arrests have already been made.

"The road is still closed and people are advised to avoid the area."

Another protest has erupted at the gates of Downing Street this evening in the wake of the fatal stabbing of three children in Southport.

Multiple others have also been detained by the Met Police.

Officers have been wrestling protesters to the ground and leading them away in handcuffs after they confronted lines of riot police.

Beer cans and glass bottles have been launched at a line of police, while flares have been thrown on to the statue of Winston Churchill in Parliament Square.

Tens of protesters have been handcuffed near the Cenotaph and led away by police.