Teesside Airport has increased security at its site after vandals damaged an aircraft last weekend.

The aircraft was vandalised at Teesside International Airport last weekend, causing hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of damage.

The incident occurred on Sunday (June 26) at around 9.30pm.

It is understood a group of about ten men climbed onto the 'retired' plane causing an estimated £200,000 worth of damage.

Read more: Ten men climb onto plane at Teesside Airport and cause £200,000 worth of damage

Airport authorities have stressed the incident did not happen on an 'airside' area, but elsewhere on the airport site.

A spokesperson for Teesside International Airport said: "An incident occurred on Sunday night during which time vandals gained access to a landside area of the site, away from the operational airfield where the retired aircraft was being stored in a field.

"We can confirm that they did not gain access to the airside area. 

"We would like to thank Durham Police for their rapid response and assistance in this matter. As a result, we have increased 24-7 security patrols across the entire site.

"We would like to remind the public that trespass onto airport land can be a criminal offence and we have in place a zero-tolerance policy against anyone who gains unauthorised access to the site."

Police earlier said the men had left the site in several vehicles and an investigation remains ongoing.

Read more: Teesside Airshow is 'unlikely to happen again' after damning report into traffic chaos

Officers from Darlington Police also stressed that entering an airfield without permission is a criminal offence - and action will be taken against those responsible.

A spokesperson said: "The incident occurred on Sunday (June 26) at around 9.30pm.

"It is believed a group of around ten men are thought to have climbed onto the plane, which was inside the airport's perimeter but not on the airfield itself, and caused around £200,000 worth of damage. 

"The men made off in several vehicles. 

"An investigation is ongoing. Officers are keen to speak to anyone who saw the men making off of or anyone who witnessed the incident."
Witnesses should contact PC Tiplady on 101 or email Ryan.tiplady@durham.police.uk quoting crime reference number CRI00409382.

If you would prefer to remain anonymous, contact Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111.

This comes after a critical report in the wake of Teesside Airshow which highlighted a "number of shortcomings" in the planning which resulted in longe queues of traffic heading into the site and some ticket-holders missing the event as a result.

--

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

You can also follow our dedicated Teesside Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.

For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.

Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054