Five young men who died after hitting a police car on the A66 near Middlesbrough may have had links to “serious and organised criminal activity”, it has emerged.
Twelve suspects were arrested by detectives investigating the events leading up to the wrong-way crash on the dual carriageway, which killed seven people, including two police officers.
Cleveland Police said nine men and three women aged between 19 and 61 have been detained on suspicion of offences ranging from possession of a firearm to participating in the activities of a crime group.
All are from the Teesside area and were held during a fast-moving and complex investigation, Assistant Chief Constable Wayne Fox said.
PCs Matthew Blades, 37, and Tom Clough, 38, were killed when a Volkswagen Passat – which had been pursued by police – was driven the wrong way along a dual carriageway and hit their marked armed response vehicle.
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 Teesside early on Saturday.
Four of the five in the car had previous criminal convictions.
In an update on Monday afternoon, the force said early on August 22 officers received several reports of two vehicles being driven dangerously.
The first, believed to be a Volvo XC60, was witnessed ramming properties in the Middlesbrough area.
The second, a Passat, is believed to have been associated with the activities of the Volvo, a spokesman said.
Both vehicles were operating with cloned number plates to avoid detection but were picked up by the force’s automated number plate recognition technology.
The Volvo XC60 involved in the initial reports has been traced and recovered in Middlesbrough as part of the criminal investigation.
Throughout the course of the weekend, Cleveland Police were supported by officers and staff from Durham, Northumbria and North Yorkshire.
ACC 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.
“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.
“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.
“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.
“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.”
Police said there was no evidence that filming of the activities on Friday night and Saturday morning was “for the purposes of TikTok”.
More than £500,000 has been raised for the families of the two police officers, with a fundraiser created by the Cleveland Police Federation reaching £470,000 by Monday afternoon.
Organisers said funds raised would be split equally between the two officers’ loved ones and the federation would continue to provide support.
A second crowdfunder for the families had raised more than £36,000.
PCs Blades and Clough were not involved in the original pursuit, but had been called to the area to assist with the search for the Passat.
Family members described former Civil Nuclear Constabulary officer PC Clough as “our hero” who was “always on public duty”.
The father-of-two’s family called him “our superhero” and said: “He gave his life in the line of duty, protecting and serving others with courage, dedication and selflessness.”
In a statement issued by Cleveland Police, PC Blades’ wife called him “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.”
She added: “Forever loved. Forever missed. Forever our superhero. Our Matt and Dad.”
He had recently joined Seaton Carew FC as a coach and was looking forward to teaching his son in its under-sevens Seahawks squad, the club said.
The officer also coached his eldest son and other youngsters in the under-10s Reds team at FC Hartlepool, which called him “a role model, a mentor, a friend, and someone the children looked up to and admired”.
It added: “He was able to share his love of football with his son while inspiring and supporting every child on the team.”
Earlier on Sunday, PC Clough’s family said: “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 continued: “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.”
Tributes for the five young men were also shared on social media, with many of their friends saying they “can’t believe it”, were “heartbroken” and “lost for words”.
Balloon releases have been announced in their memory on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at different locations, including in South Bank near where the collision occurred.
One message, dedicated to all five, said: “We all knew use and knew use had hearts of gold and most loyalist lads.”
The Passat they were travelling in was spotted and an armed response vehicle pursued for just under seven minutes before the car drove on to the A66 at South Bank against the flow of traffic.
Police aborted the chase and continued to travel on the correct side of the carriageway.
The Passat crashed into PC Blades and Pc Clough’s vehicle around 10 seconds after the chase ended.
A silent prayer vigil will be held at St John the Evangelist Church in South Bank on Monday.
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