A huge protest has broken out in Hartlepool as demonstrators throw bricks at a line of riot police.

Witnesses say a metal beam has been launched at officers during the unrest.

Men in balaclavas are said to be hitting the police with huge wooden bats.Locals say demonstrators are also throwing themselves against officers.

<img data-id="fixed-image" src="https://www.gbnews.com/media-library/image.jpg?id=53070151&amp;width=980" alt="" width="100%" height="auto">A huge protest has broken out in Hartlepool as demonstrators throw bricks at a line of riot policeX

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

One resident said there is 'a full on riot' taking place in the town{ai:summary}Hartlepool turned into a battleground as angry protestors pelted riot police with bricks and launched a metal beam, menacing with wooden bats in the dim glow of streetlights. Chaos reigned as bodies collided with authority, an explosive cocktail of frustration and fury.Meanwhile, Downing Street faced its own wave of unrest, as mourners and activists gathered in the shadow of recent tragedy. Anguish spilled over, tightening the grip of tension across the nation. #society

Protesters throw bricks and other objects at riot police in Hartlepool as hundreds gather in town centre

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