Experts from the National Crime Agency are set to lead the hunt for the organised crime bosses behind the A66 tragedy. The NCA specialises in intelligence led policing and will assist Cleveland Police. They are looking to find the organised crime bosses behind the gangland feud which claimed the lives of PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough.
Police presence increased
More than 200 officers have been brought in to help increase the police presence on the ground in Middlesbrough and surrounding areas such as Grangetown.
Cole Worthy, 17; Theo Rae, 17; Makai Saddington, 18; and 23-year-olds Michael Robert Cahill and Jacob Matusiak were in the Passat and were pronounced dead at the scene after the collision with the marked police vehicle carrying the two officers.
Feud sparked chain of events
The Mirror told how a bitter feud between Worthy and a gangland rival who was once his friend sparked the chain of events leading to the tragic loss of lives. Worthy's father's home in Acklam, Middlesbrough, was ram-raided by a Volvo XC60 at 3am, just 40 minutes before the A66 crash. Worthy is believed to have set off on a revenge mission to track down the Volvo XC60, thinking his gang rival was involved in the attack on his dad's home.
The probe into the organised crime bosses behind the drug turf war at the centre of the bitter rivalry will require counter intelligence, electronic surveillance and informants, sources told the Mirror. A former Det Chief Supt, who specialised in organised crime gangs, said: "Bringing the organised crime bosses to justice takes time. The National Crime Agency's expertise will be crucial in that. It requires covert tactics like phone tapping, vehicle tracking, and intelligence from informants. It is a long term project. You can use tactics like stopping cars for minor motoring offences to disrupt their activities. Inundate the main operatives with legal letters and threats. Get into their network and stop it as much as possible."
Links to organised crime group
Cahill, one of the five in the Passat, had links to a notorious organised crime group based in the North East. A member of that group attended the vigil held on the outskirts of Haswell, Co Durham on Thursday night for Cahill, 18 miles from the A66 tragedy scene. Reinforcements from Durham, North, West and South Yorkshire and Northumbria have been called in to tackle the gangland violence.
It is feared the teenagers in the Passat were used as drug couriers in Grangetown, where seven-year-old Valentina Foster, and her aunt Natalie McDonald, 34, died in a house fire last week. Police initially said they were investigating a potential link between the A66 crash and house fire but later shared an update that they were not linking the two.
Support from other forces
ACC Dave Sutherland, Head of Local Policing for Cleveland, said: "It's important to acknowledge the support and additional resource we are receiving from a number of other forces in the northern region and beyond, and also from the National Crime Agency. This support not only means that we can maintain our service to the public, but also continue to conduct patrols in the areas most affected and be a visible presence, should anyone wish to speak to officers with any concerns."
The two sons of PC Blades, described as a "proud Red" by United, were mascots at their game against Ipswich on Sunday. The club paid tribute to him in the programme as his widow attended with their children, aged six and eight. United said they learned of the deaths of the two officers "with great sadness". In a tribute in the programme, the club said: "Matthew was a proud Red, a devoted family man and a police officer who dedicated his life to helping others."
