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FIRE ARREST

Boy, 11, arrested over arson after police car set alight during night of violence in Hartlepool

The mum of victim Elsie Stancombe has condemned the riots and urged protesters to stop.

AN 11-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of arson after a police car was set alight during a night of violence in Hartlepool.

Shocking footage showed a blaze tearing through a cop car amid riots in the Teesside town last night.

The burning police car in Hartlepool
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The burning police car in HartlepoolCredit: PA
Cops have now arrested an 11-year-old boy on suspicion of arson
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Cops have now arrested an 11-year-old boy on suspicion of arsonCredit: PA
Firefighters battled to put out the blaze
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Firefighters battled to put out the blazeCredit: PA
Riot cops walking past the gutted car
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Riot cops walking past the gutted carCredit: PA

Cops have now arrested an 11-year-old boy on suspicion of arson over the torched car.

Assistant Chief Constable David Felton said: "This is very much a live investigation.

"We are continuing to work to identify those involved in the disorder yesterday evening and bring them to justice.

"Disorder of this kind will not be tolerated and those found to be involved will be robustly dealt with."

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The violence in Hartlepool came just hours after more than 100 people were arrested at a similar stand-off outside Downing Street.

Horror footage showed the violent clash at its peak - with cops in riot suits battling to hold the masses at bay.

Bricks and bottles were lobbed at the police, as they fought to push the crowds back.

Cleveland Police confirmed that eleven people have been arrested for various offences including public order and affray.

Several officers suffered injuries after missiles were launched by yobs amid the chaos.

The riots came after three young girls were killed in a rampage at a Taylor Swift dance class in Southport on Monday.

The mum of victim Elsie Stancombe has condemned the riots and urged protesters to stop.

Jenni Stancombe said: "This is the only thing that I will write, but please stop the violence in Southport tonight.

"The police have been nothing but heroic these last 24 hours and they and we don't need this."

Axel Muganwa Rudakubana was today named as the teen charged over the knife attack in the Merseyside town.

Rudakubana was unmasked after a judge lifted reporting restrictions just days before his 18th birthday.

Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar were knifed to death in the mass stabbing in Southport.

Eight other children suffered stab wounds in the horror, with five in a stable condition in hospital along with two adults.

Rudakubana, 17, rocked back and forth in the dock as he appeared at Liverpool Crown Court today charged with three counts of murder.

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He is also accused of ten counts of attempted murder and possession of a bladed article - a curved kitchen knife used in the attack.

The prosecution said he had an "autism spectrum disorder diagnosis" and had been "unwilling to leave the house and communicate with family for a period of time".

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