STONES and bricks being thrown at vehicles left a police officer frightened and resulted in groups being banned from gathering around a Teesside estate.

A dispersal order was issued on Sunday after a number of vehicles were targeted around the Cass House Road area of Hemlington.

The action was taken shortly after a Cleveland Police officer took to social media to criticise those responsible for throwing an object at their van.

The officer shared a picture of the damage to the vehicle just before 9pm on Saturday night and said: “Not often I get frightened in the job but this is the damage just caused to the top of our van on Cass House Road, the bang was horrible.

“This behaviour is totally unacceptable. Please, if you are a parent in Hemlington and your children are out, find out where they are and get them home please if they are near the area.

“Officers are arriving in the area as I type.”

The next day saw the force announce a 48-hour dispersal order, running from 5pm on Sunday until 5pm on Tuesday.

A spokeswoman for the force said: “As a result of the ongoing incidents on Cass House Road with stones and bricks being thrown at passing vehicles, a dispersal order will be in place within Hemlington from 5pm tonight and will run for 48 hours.

“Please be vigilant and report gangs causing ASB in the area. We would really like to identify those involved.

“If you have any information about who is responsible for this dangerous, mindless behaviour please call us on 101 or on anonymously on Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 before someone gets seriously injured.”

A taxi driver commented on the situation and urged the authorities to do more to tackle a problem he says has affected drivers for many years.

He praised the police for tackling the problem but said it was disappointing it had taken recent incidents for the force “to finally acknowledge what a serious problem this is across Teesside”.

The driver added: “We taxi drivers and bus drivers have suffered this, together with the loss of earnings and repairs for years and years.

“I appeal directly to the chief constable and [Police and Crime Commissioner for Cleveland] Barry Coppinger to find some resources to tackle this mania as the darker nights approach.”