Donations to the families of the two police officers killed in the A66 crash have topped £750,000.
PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38, were killed in Teesside when a Volkswagen Passat – which had been pursued by police – was driven the wrong way along the A66 near Middlesbrough on Saturday, August 22 and hit their marked armed response vehicle.
The five people travelling in the Volkswagen were also pronounced dead at the scene. They have been named as Michael Robert Cahill, 23, Theo Rae, 17, Cole Robert Worthy, 16, Jacob Matusiak, 23, and 18-year-old Makai Saddington.
Investigation into the crash
Cleveland Police confirmed they had received several reports of two vehicles being driven dangerously before the incident. The first vehicle, believed to be a Volvo XC60, was seen ramming properties in the Middlesbrough area. The second, the Passat involved in the crash, is understood to have been associated with the activities of the Volvo.
Both vehicles had cloned number plates to avoid detection but were picked up by the force's automated number plate recognition technology.
PC Clough's family described the officer as a "hero with a fantastic sense of humour" who was "willing to help anyone for any reason". Meanwhile, PC Blades' wife said the officer was "the most devoted father" to the couple's two young boys who was "loved beyond words by all his family and friends".
Vigils and arrests
On Monday, a silent vigil was held at St John the Evangelist Church in South Bank for PC Clough and PC Blades.
A second vigil in South Bank, also held on Monday afternoon, was held for Jakub Matusiak, 23. Orange balloons were released into the sky during the vigil, accompanied by cheers. People wearing face coverings were also pictured setting off coloured flares, filling the sky with thick orange, red and blue smoke.
Assistant Chief Constable Wayne Fox, responsible for the strategic leadership of the investigation, said: "This has been a fast moving and complex investigation, with significant links to serious and organised criminal activity.
"The events of that tragic night will have a lasting and profound impact on the Cleveland area and the communities we seek to protect. We have a duty to respond to, and thoroughly investigate, the serious criminal activity that resulted in this fatal incident, and to bring all those responsible to justice.
"Our robust response will continue in the weeks and months to come, as we continue to tackle those that seek to cause harm to our communities and tackle serious and organised crime.'
Officers and staff across Cleveland have shown incredible resilience in continuing their work in the face of tragedy.
"Two of their colleagues lost their lives while serving the people of Cleveland and, while the impact will be felt by our people for a long time to come, they have continued to act with the upmost professionalism. I am also extremely grateful for the support we have received, and continue to receive, from the public of Cleveland and our wider police family."
Nine men and three women, aged between 18 and 61, have been arrested across Teesside on suspicion of several offences, including participating in an organised crime group, possession of an offensive weapon and possession of a firearm without a certificate. Some remain in custody, while others have been released on conditional or unconditional bail.
Fundraising effort
A GoFundMe page has been set up by Cleveland Police Federation with a target of £1.2 million. The funds raised will be split equally between the two officers families.
A message on the page reads: "Cleveland Police Federation are supporting and will continue to support the families of Matt and Tom at this unfathomable moment. We are asking for help to support the families of our two colleagues, to assist them in any way as they try to navigate this traumatic time."
