Sunderland protesters attack police office and set car alight

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service confirmed it had been called out to the fire near the Sunderland Central Police office.

Rail and bus services have been halted with Tyne and Wear Metro operator Nexus saying it had been asked by British Transport Police to close Sunderland Rail Station at about 22:15 BST.

Bus operator Go North East said it would terminate all of its services short of Sunderland overnight, except for the service 20/20A which would terminate at Barnes.

The Omniplex cinema in the city was also forced to close during the evening in the interest of public and staff safety, it said.

Residents said they could still hear police helicopters in the sky past midnight.