Cleveland Police have arrested twelve people in connection with a fatal crash on the A66 that claimed seven lives, including two serving police officers. The arrests, made by officers investigating the incident, involve nine men and three women aged between 19 and 61.
The crash occurred in the early hours of Saturday when a car, believed to be a Volkswagen Passat, was driven the wrong way along the A road and collided with a police vehicle. The collision killed PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough, along with five teenagers and young men: Michael Robert Cahill, 23, Theo Rae, 17, Cole Robert Worthy, 16, Jacob Matusiak, 23, and Makai Saddington, 18. All seven victims were pronounced dead at the scene shortly before 4am.
Investigation reveals organised crime links
Police say the arrests follow several reports of two vehicles being driven dangerously in the area. Another vehicle, believed to be a Volvo XC60, was witnessed ramming properties in the Middlesbrough area. Both vehicles had cloned number plates, which police believe were used to avoid detection, but they were picked up by the force's automated number plate recognition technology.
The Volvo XC60 has been recovered in Middlesbrough as part of the ongoing investigation. Some of those arrested are suspected of 'participating in the activities of an organised crime group', according to Cleveland Police. Other suspected offences include possession of a firearm. Police added that four of the deceased who had been in the car when it hit the police vehicle had previous police convictions.
Police response and community impact
Assistant Chief Constable Wayne Fox, who is responsible for 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.'
He added: 'The events of that tragic night will have a lasting and profound impact on the Cleveland area and the communities we seek to protect. 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.'
Continued efforts to tackle serious crime
ACC Fox emphasised the force's commitment to ongoing action: 'Our robust response will continue in the weeks and months to come, as we continue to tackle those that seek to cause harm to our communities and tackle serious and organised crime.'
He also praised the resilience of officers and staff: 'Officers and staff across Cleveland have shown incredible resilience in continuing their work in the face of tragedy. Two of their colleagues lost their lives while serving the people of Cleveland and, while the impact will be felt by our people for a long time to come, they have continued to act with the upmost professionalism.'
He expressed gratitude for public support, stating: 'I am also extremely grateful for the support we have received, and continue to receive, from the public of Cleveland and our wider police family.' The investigation remains ongoing, with arrests continuing as police work to bring all those responsible to justice.
