BREAKING: 'Fireworks launched at police station' and car set alight after day of chaos and disorder in Salford

Fireworks were reportedly launched at a police station and police van as a car was set alight and large groups of youths were 'joyriding' around in a day of chaos and disorder in Salford.

It is understood that members of the public first called emergency services with a number of reports of public disorder and antisocial behaviour in the Pendleton area on Tuesday morning (July 11).

Throughout the day, primarily in the Pendleton area, there were reports of 'around 20 to 30 people' on unauthorised motorbikes and groups of males wearing balaclavas.

Try MEN Premium for FREE by clicking here for no ads, fun puzzles and brilliant new features.

The Manchester Evening News understands that a group on motorbikes also launched fireworks at Swinton Police Station, on Chorley Road at around midday and that more fireworks were then hurled towards a police van at around 6pm.

Images also showed how a car that had gone up in flames after being set alight in Clarendon Park, off Churchill Way, at around 6.15pm on Tuesday, with further reports of a large group of males on bikes in a children's play area at around 8pm.

The MEN understands that some of the incidents may be linked to the funeral of teenager Saul Cookson that was held in Salford on Tuesday. He died, aged 15, after his e-bike was in a collision with an ambulance on Langworthy Road. He was being followed by police before the crash.

A witness told the M.E.N: "It’s been happening most of the day. Around 30ish youths all in black, riding bikes and cars, joyriding around the park and setting fire to stuff and shooting fireworks."

It is understood there have been no reported injuries in any of the incidents. Greater Manchester Police have been approached for details.

Try MEN