Seven further individuals have been detained as part of a police crackdown on alleged organised crime following a devastating crash that claimed seven lives, including those of two police officers. This brings the total number of arrests since the crash to 24.
PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38, lost their lives when their armed response vehicle collided with a Volkswagen Passat travelling the wrong way along the A66 at South Bank in the early hours of Saturday morning. Michael Robert Cahill, 23, Jacob Matusiak, 23, Makai Saddington, 18, Theo Rae, and Cole Robert Worthy, both 17, also perished in the incident.
Latest arrests and charges
Police confirmed tonight (Friday, August 28) that seven people had been arrested as part of the operation launched in the wake of the crash. Officers revealed that four men, aged 35, 25, 40, and 21, are being held on suspicion of criminal damage with intent to endanger life. This follows reports of a car crashing into a property on Steele Crescent, Middlesbrough.
The men are also being questioned in connection with an alleged arson attack after a caravan was set ablaze on Atlee Road on Wednesday morning, as well as a drug offence. Cleveland Police confirmed the men were travelling in a vehicle intercepted by officers on Kingsley Road in Grangetown on Thursday, with a quantity of class A drugs subsequently seized.
Other suspects and bail conditions
The three other men arrested were a 23-year-old man, on suspicion of threats to kill, a 42-year-old on suspicion of threats to kill and possession of criminal property, and a 30-year-old on suspicion of possession of criminal property. All three have been released on conditional bail.
Earlier on Friday, detectives confirmed they are not linking a house fire which killed a seven year old girl and her aunt to the A66 crash which killed seven people, including two police officers.
Police response and community appeal
Hundreds of additional officers have been deployed to bolster policing capacity following a series of recent incidents in the Middlesbrough and County Durham area. Cleveland Police Assistant Chief Constable Wayne Fox said: "This latest disruptive activity now brings the total number of arrests to 24 since the investigation commenced."
"Several suspects arrested throughout the course of this week have been charged with serious offences and a number of offenders have been recalled to prison. This robust approach demonstrates our commitment and determination to pursue those who we believe are intent on causing serious violence and harm to our communities."
"Be assured, our relentless pursuit of suspected organised criminals will not waver. I want to encourage anyone who believes serious violence and organised crime is taking place in their neighbourhood to report it so we can keep on taking action."
