What began as reports of dangerous driving in Middlesbrough has spiralled into a major investigation after a weekend crash on a northeast England dual carriageway left seven people dead, including two police officers.
British police said they have arrested 12 people as part of an inquiry into organised criminal activity linked to the collision, which happened near Middlesbrough.
Cleveland Police said five young men and teenagers who died when their vehicle struck a police car while travelling the wrong way along the road may have had links to “serious and organised criminal activity”.
Officers said the 12 arrests relate to alleged criminality in the period leading up to the crash.
The alleged offences include possession of a firearm and participating in the activities of an organised crime group.
Police said four of the five young men in the car had previous criminal convictions and were believed to be associated with another vehicle that had been seen ramming properties earlier that morning.
A police officer leaving flowers 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 — hit their marked armed response vehicle.
The five people in the Volkswagen — Cole Robert Worthy, 17, Theo Rae, 17, Makai Saddington, 18, and 23-year-olds Michael Robert Cahill and Jacob Matusiak — were pronounced dead at the scene in the early hours of Saturday.
Cleveland Police said nine men and three women, aged between 19 and 61, were arrested following investigative work carried out over the weekend into alleged criminal activity before the collision.
The force said it received multiple calls on the morning of the crash reporting two vehicles being driven dangerously.
The first vehicle, believed to be a Volvo XC60, was reported to have been ramming properties in the Middlesbrough area.
The second vehicle — a Volkswagen Passat — is believed to have been linked to the Volvo’s activity.
Police said both cars were using cloned number plates, but automated number plate recognition technology detected them.
The Volvo XC60 connected to the initial reports has since been traced and recovered in Middlesbrough.
A tribute to the two officers who were killed in the collision on the A66
Cleveland Police also said there was no evidence that filming of events on Friday night and Saturday morning was “for the purposes of TikTok”.
Assistant Chief Constable Wayne Fox, who is overseeing the strategic leadership of the investigation, said: “This has been a fast-moving and complex investigation, with 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 added.
Along the A66 near the crash site, flowers and messages were placed in memory of the officers.
A paramedic left a card with a bouquet reading: “Thank you for your service. RIP.”
Another tribute said: “Behind every uniform is a person with a life, family, friends and people whose lives they have touched along the way.”
One message read simply: “For our 2 brave police officers, may you both rest in peace.”
More than £250,000 has been raised for the families of the two officers.
A fundraising appeal launched yesterday by the Cleveland Police Federation reached £228,000 early on Monday.
Organisers said the money would be split equally between the officers’ families, adding that the federation would continue to provide support.
A second fundraiser for the families had brought in more than £27,600.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct said Cleveland Police began the pursuit after receiving intelligence relating to “numerous incidents” linked to a Passat.
The watchdog said Pc Blades and Pc Clough were not part of the original pursuit, but were deployed to assist with the search for the Passat.
Flowers and tributes left at the Cleveland police HQ in Middlesbrough
Police said the car carrying the teenagers and young men was located and an armed response vehicle followed it for just under seven minutes before the Passat entered the A66 at South Bank against oncoming traffic.
The pursuit was then called off and police continued on the correct side of the carriageway.
About 10 seconds after the chase ended, the Passat collided with Pc Blades and Pc Clough’s vehicle.
Relatives described Pc Clough as “our hero” who was “always on public duty”.
The father-of-two’s family said he was “our superhero” and added: “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 said he was “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.”
It 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.”
