A weekend collision in northeast England has led to a major organised-crime investigation after seven people, including two police officers, were killed in a crash near Middlesbrough. Cleveland Police said 12 people had been arrested as officers examined criminal activity believed to have preceded the incident.
Five teenagers and young men died when the car they were travelling in struck a marked police vehicle after entering a dual carriageway on the wrong side of the road. Investigators said some of those in the car may have been connected to “serious and organised criminal activity”.
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The 12 arrests relate to alleged offences committed before the crash, police said.
Those offences include possession of a firearm and involvement in the activities of an organised crime group.
A police officer pays tribute at the Cleveland Police HQ Memorial Garden
Pc Matthew Blades, 37, and Pc Tom Clough, 38, died when a Volkswagen Passat, which had been pursued by police, collided with their marked armed response vehicle.
The five occupants of the Volkswagen — Cole Robert Worthy, 17, Theo Rae, 17, Makai Saddington, 18, and Michael Robert Cahill and Jacob Matusiak, both 23 — were pronounced dead at the scene during the early hours of Saturday.
Police said nine men and three women, aged between 19 and 61, had been arrested following a weekend investigation into suspected criminal activity before the collision.
The force said it had received several reports that morning of two vehicles being driven dangerously.
One of them, thought to be a Volvo XC60, was reportedly seen ramming properties in the Middlesbrough area.
The second vehicle, a Volkswagen Passat, was believed to be connected to the Volvo’s activities.
Both vehicles were fitted with cloned number plates, police said, but automated number plate recognition systems detected them.
The Volvo XC60 linked to the first reports has since been found and recovered in Middlesbrough.
A tribute honours the two officers killed in the A66 collision
Police said there was no evidence that people filmed the events on Friday night and Saturday morning “for the purposes of TikTok”.
Assistant Chief Constable Wayne Fox, who is leading the investigation at a strategic level, said the inquiry had been “fast-moving and complex” and involved “significant links to serious and organised criminal activity.”
“We have a duty to respond to, and thoroughly investigate, the serious criminal activity that resulted in this fatal incident, and to bring all those responsible to justice,” he said.
Tributes and flowers placed beside the A66 near the crash scene remembered the two officers who lost their lives.
A paramedic left a card with a bouquet reading: “Thank you for your service. RIP.”
Another message said: “Behind every uniform is a person with a life, family, friends and people whose lives they have touched along the way.”
A third card read: “For our 2 brave police officers, may you both rest in peace.”
More than £250,000 has been donated to support the families of the two officers.
A fundraising appeal set up by the Cleveland Police Federation yesterday had reached £228,000 by early Monday.
The organisers said the money would be divided equally between the families, while the federation would continue offering support.
A separate appeal had collected more than £27,600 for the families.
Cleveland police began the pursuit after receiving intelligence about “numerous incidents” associated with a Passat, according to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, the police watchdog examining the incident.
Pc Blades and Pc Clough were not part of the initial pursuit. They had been sent to the area to help search for the Passat.
Flowers and messages of condolence at Cleveland police headquarters in Middlesbrough
The Passat carrying the teenagers and young men was located, and an armed response vehicle followed it for just under seven minutes. The car then entered the A66 at South Bank, travelling against the flow of traffic.
Officers ended the pursuit and continued along the carriageway on the correct side of the road.
About 10 seconds after the chase was stopped, the Passat crashed into the police vehicle carrying Pc Blades and Pc Clough.
Pc Clough’s relatives described him as “our hero” and said he was “always on public duty”.
The father-of-two’s family also called him “our superhero”, saying: “He gave his life in the line of duty, protecting and serving others with courage, dedication and selflessness.”
In a statement released by Cleveland Police, Pc Blades’ wife described him as “my beloved husband, my best friend, and the most devoted father to our two young boys”.
She said he was “an adored son and brother, a perfect son-in-law, and the most fun uncle”.
“He was loved beyond words by all his family and friends, and his loss has left a space that can never be filled,” she said.
“Our children will grow up knowing what an incredible father he was and will always be, and I will carry his love, his memory and everything we shared with me always.”
Pc Clough’s family said yesterday: “He was our hero with a fantastic sense of humour. Jumped into action whenever needed, and willing to help anyone for any reason.
“Proudly fought for his country to make the world a better place. Always on public duty throughout his short life.”
The statement added: “We as a family and Tom’s partner would like to express our sincere gratitude for the overwhelming support and condolences from friends, colleagues and the wider community.”
