Stolen tractor smashes into Middlesbrough home as police probe 'deliberate' attack

A large tractor has ploughed into the front of a home in Middlesbrough in what police are treating as a "deliberate" attack. Pictures show the red farming vehicle lodged on the driveway of a terraced house on Priory Road. Cleveland Police said the tractor had been stolen in Yarm before being driven into the property in the early hours of Saturday. A cordon has been erected around several homes in the street while investigations take place, Teesside Live reports. Detective Chief Inspector John Bonner said: "Shortly after 1am on Saturday, May 9, police received reports of a tractor being driven into a house on Priory Road in Middlesbrough. Those inside the tractor immediately fled from the area. "The property is unoccupied therefore no one suffered any injury however neighbouring properties were evacuated as a precaution and will return once it has been deemed safe. "We are currently treating this as deliberate, and a scene is in place while the investigation is ongoing. I'd ask members of the public to avoid the area where possible. Additional patrols will be carried out in the area over the weekend to provide reassurance to the community." Det Ch Insp Bonner appealed for anyone with information, dashcam or doorbell footage of the tractor - which he said was stolen in Yarm before being driven to Middlesbrough - or the damage caused, to come forward. One neighbour told Teesside Live they both "heard" and "felt" the impact as the tractor smashed into the house. "I was videoing it but at that point I thought I’d better ring the police," they said. "It then reversed into a car and drove back in again. There was a getaway car and they got in it it and skidded away. They were all in balaclavas and hoodies. It was the most insane thing I’ve ever seen." A black Vauxhall Insignia belonging to 28-year-old Kash Ahmed was also damaged in the incident. He had parked on Priory Road overnight after being unable to find space elsewhere. He told the outlet: "I came in the morning to collect my car at about 6am and I was like, ‘what’s going on here?'" Mr Ahmed said he believes the tractor hit his vehicle as it turned turning towards the house, forcing the car into a hedge. Anyone with information is urged to contact police on 101, quoting reference number 087639. Information can also be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via its website at crimestoppers-uk.org.