Seven more men have been arrested as part of an operation tackling alleged organised crime in the wake of the deadly A66 head-on crash, Cleveland Police said.
Officers said four men, aged 35, 25, 40 and 21, were being held on suspicion of criminal damage with intent to endanger life after a vehicle crashed into a house in Steele Crescent, Middlesbrough. They were also being questioned over alleged arson after a caravan was set alight in Atlee Road on Wednesday morning, and a drugs offence.
The force said the men were in a vehicle when they were stopped by police on Kingsley Road in Grangetown on Thursday night. A quantity of class A drugs has been seized, officers confirmed.
Three more arrested and bailed
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.
It brings the total number of people arrested since the crash to 24. Earlier on Friday, detectives confirmed they were not linking a house fire which killed a seven-year-old girl and her aunt to the A66 crash left seven people dead, including two police officers.
Hundreds of extra police officers have been drafted in to support officers after the series of recent incidents in the Middlesbrough and County Durham area which began with the head-on crash that killed Pc Matthew Blades, 37, and Pc Tom Clough, 38, and five young men last weekend.
Police vow relentless pursuit
Cleveland Police Assistant Chief Constable Wayne Fox said of the latest arrests: “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.”
PCC thanks officers and calls for funding
The Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Cleveland said the past week had been “the most tragic” in the area’s history as he thanked officers for their hard work, but stressed “the outdated and ineffective funding system” for policing “disadvantages” his force.
Elsewhere, police condemned the behaviour of a crowd who set fire to a number of cars as part of a tribute to one of those who died in the A66 crash as “completely unacceptable”. Durham Constabulary said they were called to the private field in the Haswell area of the county shortly after 5.30pm on Thursday, where five vehicles were wrecked as a large crowd gathered to release balloons, flares and fireworks.
The incident in Haswell is understood to have been a vigil to remember A66 crash victim Michael Cahill, 23. A force spokesman said: “The majority of the crowd had travelled from outside the County Durham area, bringing with them a number of vehicles.
“During the gathering, which lasted approximately one hour, five vehicles were set on fire and members of the crowd released balloons, flares and fireworks.
“As the field was contained and it was assessed there was no immediate risk to wider public safety, the vehicle fires were allowed to burn out.”
Cole Worthy, 17, Theo Rae, 17, Makai Saddington, 18, and 23-year-olds Mr Cahill and Jakub Matusiak were killed when the Volkswagen Passat they were travelling in collided with Pc Blades and Pc Clough’s vehicle. Police arrested 17 people after the A66 crash, which followed a police pursuit, as part of investigations into alleged organised crime.
On Friday, Cleveland Police said Kai Inico, who was arrested on Monday on suspicion of participating in an organised crime group, has been charged with possession with intent to supply a class B drug. The force said four other people arrested on Monday have also been bailed – a 16-year-old boy and 18-year-old man arrested on suspicion of participating in an organised crime group, a 55-year-old man arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender, and a 23-year-old man arrested on suspicion of threats to kill.
Earlier this week, two people were charged with offences and appeared in court and 10 others were bailed. Meanwhile, two men have been arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with the fire which killed Natalie McDonald, 34, and seven-year-old Valentina Foster and injured four others in Grangetown.
Matt Storey, Cleveland PCC, said on Friday: “After what has been the most tragic week in its history, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to local residents for the outpouring of love and support they have shown to Cleveland Police.
“My thoughts remain with the family, friends and colleagues of Pc Matthew Blades and Pc Tom Clough. They will be remembered as selfless, professional and courageous police officers, dedicated to serving their communities.
“I also offer my sincere condolences to everyone affected by the horrific fire in Grangetown, which sadly resulted in the deaths of two people.”
He vowed to continue fighting for funding for his force, saying: “Today, I met with the policing minister to once again raise my serious concerns about the outdated and ineffective funding system that disadvantages this force.
“I have reiterated my request for a better long-term funding deal to enhance Cleveland’s response to serious and organised crime.
“People in Cleveland have the right to live without the fear of crime and I understand the concern, anger and grief recent events have caused.
“I want to assure them that I will continue to fight for the funding needed to improve Cleveland Police’s ability to prevent crime, bring offenders to justice and keep our communities safe.”
