Bridget Phillipson, MP for Houghton and Sunderland South and Minister for Women and Equalities, confirmed the government has provided extra resources to Cleveland Police following the A66 crash that killed seven people. The head-on collision between a marked Cleveland Police car and a black Volkswagen Passat on August 22nd left seven dead, including two police officers.
Arrests reach 24 amid organised crime crackdown
In the wake of the crash, arrests have been made across the region in relation to organised crime. Instances of arson and criminal damage have been reported widely over the course of the last week. Seven more arrests were announced, bringing the total number of arrests to 24, with many arrested as Cleveland Police attempt to disrupt organised crime in the area.
Appearing on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Phillipson was asked about comments from the Cleveland Crime and Police Commissioner, who stated: "I have always been very vocal that Cleveland Police does a brilliant job of handling the level of demand it faces with the resources at its disposal. Sadly, the frequency and severity of recent incidents has now brought Cleveland to national attention."
Extra resources and regional challenges
In response to questions about support for Cleveland Police, Phillipson said: "In the short term, there has been extra resources, both in terms of officers, mutual aid and support given, and we'll continue to look at what's needed. Because what has happened in Middlesbrough, it is shocking and the police are doing a tremendous job in very challenging circumstances."
When asked if other areas of the North East faced similar challenges to Middlesbrough, she said: "We face similar challenges around organised crime, around antisocial behaviour, around gang activity, absolutely. Much of which will be connected across the whole of the region."
She added: "I know this will be a really worrying time for families across Middlesbrough. The police are taking action, lots of arrests that we've just heard across the news bulletin that are taking place, and I'm sure they'll continue to take the action that's needed."
Funding concerns raised by mayor
Phillipson continued: "But lots of people in communities like mine and places like Middlesbrough, over many years saw effectively a breakdown in law and order in their communities because of the lack of a police presence. We're putting that right, we're putting that neighbourhood policing into those communities, but I do recognise the in the short term Cleveland need to continue to receive that support to deal with what their facing."
Following Phillipson's appearance, Middlesbrough Mayor Chris Cooke appeared on Radio 4 to discuss the disorder across the area. He said: "Police are doing an absolutely sterling job to round up as many people as possible and make those arrests."
He added that Cleveland Police "are doing extremely well despite and in spite of the lack of funding they absolutely need. They are a police force that has been the hardest hit, and they have had over a 10% reduction in full-time annual police officers, while other places have seen over 20% increase, and that isn't fair."
Cooke said: "The funding for police needs to follow need and needs to follow what the statistics are; it cannot just be based on population size, as it currently is, because that serves no one well. It needs to be based on need."
