A HORSEBOX "the size of a bus" was rammed into a house in Darlington in the early hours of Thursday morning - the third attack on the same house in two years.

The incident is understood to be linked to an ongoing traveller feud which has seen a number of targeted attacks in recent years.

Police closed Barmpton Lane to all motorists while they dealt with the incident, but it has now been reopened.

The same house was firebombed last year, and its downstairs windows were all smashed around 18 months ago, neighbours said.

The Northern Echo:

The scene of the incident on Barmpton Lane, in Darlington

A Durham Police spokeswoman said: "At 5.00am this morning police were called to reports of a horse box which had collided with the front of an unoccupied house of Barmpton Lane, Darlington.

Detectives are now investigating the circumstances of this incident and
forensic teams are at the house carrying out an examination of the
scene."

Chief Inspector Steve Ball said: "We understand that this is very
concerning for local residents and we are currently working with local councillors to reassure the community.

"We would like to say to anyone who live in the surrounding streets we are working hard to ascertain whether recent similar events are linked to today's incident."

An eyewitness, who was first on the scene, said: "I was in bed when I heard a loud bang. I got up to look out the bedroom window and heard a car driving away.

"When I went outside to see what had happened I saw a horsebox had been reversed into a house, so I called the police."

"It's taken out the front garden wall and left a huge hole in the front of the house. It has caused a lot of damage."

A neighbour who also heard the commotion, said: "I heard a huge bang at 5am. I couldn't work what it was. I got up and I saw the horsebox. It was the size of a bus.

"It's worrying when this sort of thing is happening on your doorstep. This is the third time this house has been targeted.

"It was firebombed I believe towards the end of September and about 18 months ago all the windows downstairs were knocked in." 

The horsebox has been taken away and a cordon put in place around the property. One police car remains at the scene.

No one is believed to have been in the house at the time, which is understood to have stood empty for some time.

  • Anyone with information should contact police on 101