Twelve people have been arrested as part of an expanding inquiry into the circumstances that led to a fatal collision on the A66 which claimed the lives of two armed response officers and several young people, Cleveland Police announced.
Scope of the investigation
Officers from Cleveland said the arrests were made across Teesside as detectives probe activity on the morning of Saturday, August 22, when two vehicles were reported to have been driven dangerously in the Middlesbrough area before the subsequent collision. The inquiry has identified what senior officers described as “significant links” to serious and organised criminal activity.
The vehicles of interest include a Volvo XC60 and a Volkswagen Passat. Both cars were reportedly using cloned number plates and were picked up by the force’s automatic number plate recognition system. The Volvo has been located and recovered in Middlesbrough.
Arrests and allegations
Cleveland Police said the 12 people arrested comprise nine men and three women, aged between 19 and 61. The range of alleged offences includes:
- possession of firearms
- possession of offensive weapons
- drugs offences
- criminal damage
- threats to kill
- participating in an organised crime group
One man, a 26-year-old from Redcar, has been charged with possession with intent to supply both Class A and Class B drugs and with possession of criminal property. Some of those arrested remain in custody, while others have been released on bail or without bail as enquiries continue.
Police co‑operation and investigation lead
Detectives from Durham, Northumbria and North Yorkshire have provided support to the Cleveland investigation. Assistant Chief Constable Wayne Fox, who is leading the inquiry, described the operation as both fast-moving and complex and stressed the force’s duty to investigate the criminality that preceded the fatal incident.
“It is a fast-moving and complex investigation. We have identified significant links to serious and organised criminal activity and we must investigate the criminal activity which resulted in this fatal incident and bring those responsible to justice,”
The collision involved the Passat travelling the wrong way along the A66 and striking the marked armed response vehicle carrying the two officers. The deceased officers were named by police as PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38.
Fatalities and ongoing legal process
In addition to the two officers, several passengers in the Passat were killed. The force has previously confirmed the deaths of five young men who were travelling in the vehicle. The investigation is examining the chain of events and the criminal conduct that may have preceded the collision, and detectives have said it will include enquiries into vehicle use, the reported dangerous driving and the wider associations of those arrested.
Police have emphasised that arrests and charges form part of an ongoing process. Some matters will be subject to further charging decisions and court proceedings; others remain under active investigation while suspects are in custody or on bail.
| Detail | Reported |
|---|---|
| Number arrested | 12 |
| Age range of those arrested | 19–61 |
| Vehicles involved | Volvo XC60, Volkswagen Passat (cloned plates) |
| Officers killed | PC Matthew Blades, 37; PC Tom Clough, 38 |
The deaths of serving officers in the line of duty have prompted an intensive, multi‑force probe that is continuing at pace. Cleveland Police said enquiries would continue to be pursued vigorously to establish the full circumstances and to ensure those responsible are held to account.
Given the complexity and the number of agencies involved, further updates are expected as investigations progress and charging decisions are taken.
