Police Warn of Tougher Action After Hartlepool ‘Peaceful Protest’ Leaves Another Property Damaged...
So called ‘Peaceful Protest’ organised by Social media 'agitators' Ends in Property Damage as Police Warn Action will be taken...
8th November 2026
Cleveland Police have warned they've not ruled out taking a much firmer approach towards social media 'agitators' stirring up disorder, after a gathering supposedly described as a “peaceful protest” yesterday evening left yet another Hartlepool property damaged.
Officers were called to King Oswy Drive on Saturday evening, (November 7th), after a large group of youths reportedly gathered outside a property, with additional police resources having to be brought in to disperse the crowd after damage was caused.
A 24-hour dispersal order was subsequently introduced covering the King Oswy area of Hartlepool yesterday evening, giving officers powers to direct people involved in antisocial behaviour to leave the designated area, with anyone failing to comply with a direction risking arrest.
The demonstration is alleged to have been organised through a local social media group.
Hartlepool has already seen a number of serious incidents involving groups gathering outside addresses while describing their actions as 'peaceful protest'.
On August 28th, Cleveland Police attended a gathering where a 29-year-old man was assaulted, racially abused and had a bag stolen. He required overnight hospital treatment.
The following day, officers then attended an address in Bruntoft Avenue in Hartlepool after windows of a property belonging to Thirteen Housing Group were smashed with rocks and bricks while children were inside. Police subsequently confirmed five arrests in connection with the two incidents, with those arrested released on bail pending further enquiries.
Following those earlier incidents, Superintendent Paul Richardson warned that “any escalation of violence or criminality will be dealt with appropriately and robustly”.
He said police would facilitate lawful, peaceful protest but would take action against people who harmed others or destroyed property.
It was also reported in September that a man associated with a local online vigilante group had been arrested following a similar gathering, this time on Beaconsfield Street on the Hartlepool Headland and released on bail.
The local group denied arranging protests that had resulted in disorder and disputed allegations against people associated with it.
The latest incident also raises fresh concerns about the circulation of whats claimed to be unverified accusations online, including material being shared by groups describing themselves as “paedophile hunters”.
People with information about the recent criminal damage incident can contact Cleveland Police on 101 or report through the force’s website. Emergencies should be reported on 999.
