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The town has been described as 'on its knees' by its former mayor amid pleas to Andy Burnham to provide further support

Hundreds of armed police have descended on Middlesbrough following escalating gang violence in the town.

A series of incidents have taken place after the A66 crash, which killed two police officers and five others on Saturday.

A VW Passat collided with a marked police car after it drove the wrong way down the A-road near South Bank in the early hours of Saturday morning.

PC Matthew Blades, 37 and PC Tom Clough, 38, were killed, as well as Michael Robert Cahill, 23, Jakub Matusiak, 23, Makai Saddington, 18, and 17-year-olds Theo Rae and Cole Robert Worthy.

A seven-year-old girl and her aunt were also killed in a house fire, while a 39-year-old man was stabbed and a house was rammed.

Police suspect the incidents are gang-related as feuds escalate.

However, Cleveland Police has not confirmed whether the violence is linked to the A66 crash.

Outside of central London, Middlesbrough has the highest crime rate in England, with criminal groups and activity being rife in the town.

Described as being "on its knees" by Middlesbrough's former mayor Andy Preston, extra police officers have been drafted into the area.

Five Labour MPs pleaded with the policing minister Sarah Jones that "returning to business as usual will not be enough".

The National Crime Agency has deployed officers, as well as detectives from Northumbria, Durham, South Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, West Yorkshire and Humberside divisions.

Councillor Alec Brown said he would be appealing to Andy Burnham to draft more law enforcement into the area.

Mr Brown wrote on social media: "Thank you so much to he superintendent from Cleveland Police that has just taken their time to give updates to myself, Anna Turley, South Bank and Grangetown ward councillors.

"They are working 20 hour days to ensure the ongoing safety of innocent residents.

"Over 200 extra police officers from forces around the country are here and are en route, from detectives to armed response.

"I will be sending a letter today to our Prime Minister asking for even more resources.

"The police really are doing an amazing job. If it is any reassurance at all, jobs called in to the police are actually down this week, however the seriousness of the ones that have been called in need serious and swift action.

"Everyone is heartbroken over the loss of an aunt and little girl in Grangetown yesterday. People need to feel safe in their homes."

Valentina Foster, 7, and her aunt Natalie McDonald, 34, were killed in a fire in Birchington Avenue, Grangetown.

Josh Kirton, Ms McDonald’s brother, said today: "My sister was not involved with anything to do with gangs, or the A66 crash. That’s what makes this so senseless.

"People think they can do whatever they like. There’s some terrible people in the world and now my sister and Valentina have gone."

A 39-year-old man was stabbed this afternoon at a home on the Banksfields estate in Eston, south east of Middlesbrough.

The victim remains in hospital and is receiving treatment for his injuries.

It has emerged that an SUV rammed a house belonging to the father of one of the killed joyriders an hour before the A66 crash happened on Saturday.

The incident took place half a mile west of the crash site and 1.1 miles west of the Grangetown fire.

The stabbing took place two and a half miles from where the VW Passat and police car collided.

Mr Burnham said the Government is providing "all of the support that the authorities need" after the fire, describing the deaths of the young girl and her aunt as "utterly devastating".

Cleveland Police made 17 arrests in connection with the fatal A66 crash.

The offences range from suspicion of participating in an organised crime group to possession of firearms or drugs.