Serious disorder at a balloon release event held in memory of victims of the A66 car crash has been deemed "unacceptable" by a local Member of Parliament, who stated that the incident "put lives at risk" and left residents feeling frightened.

The event, which took place on a privately owned field near Haswell, County Durham, on Thursday evening, saw a large crowd gather. During the gathering, five vehicles were set on fire, and balloons, flares, and fireworks were released.

Durham Police reported that a significant portion of the crowd had traveled from outside the County Durham area. Officers were called to the scene shortly after 17:30 BST. No injuries were reported, and no arrests were made during the incident. Assistant Chief Constable Jon McAdam issued a strong condemnation, stating, "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."

Redcar MP Anna Turley, also a Home Office minister, expressed her concerns, highlighting that the "fear and lawlessness" experienced by residents in their own communities was heightened by the presence of illegal bikes, quad bikes, fires, and fireworks. She emphasized that while people have a right to grieve, they also have a right to feel safe in their neighborhoods.

County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service dispatched one crew to the scene. However, following a dynamic risk assessment, firefighters withdrew due to concerns for their safety given the circumstances. The fire service confirmed there was no immediate threat to public safety or significant risk of the fire spreading.

The A66 crash, which occurred near Middlesbrough on Saturday, tragically resulted in the deaths of seven people, including PCs Matthew Blades and Tom Clough. This was followed by a fatal house fire in Grangetown on Wednesday, which claimed the lives of a woman and a seven-year-old girl.

Durham Police confirmed that a police operation, including investigation work and visible patrols, would continue in the area over the coming days. The force indicated that the majority of attendees had traveled from outside the region, bringing numerous vehicles with them.

Lauren Somerville, chair of the Cleveland Police Federation, described the situation as "more intense than ever in amongst pain and grief," noting that the aftermath of such tragedies continues to be felt deeply. In response to the ongoing impact, an additional 200 police officers are being deployed to support the investigation and ensure safety where needed.