12 arrests made in connection with A66 crash which killed Cleveland Police officers
Cleveland Police has launched a wide-scale investigation into the criminality which took place prior to the fatal crash that took the lives of seven, including PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough.
Last updated 24th Aug 2026
Cleveland Police has launched a wide-scale investigation into the criminality which took place prior to the fatal crash that took the lives of seven, including PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough.
On the morning of Saturday 22 August, Cleveland Police received several reports of two vehicles being driven dangerously.
The first vehicle, which is believed to be a Volvo XC60, was witnessed to be ramming properties in the Middlesbrough area.
The second vehicle, a Volkswagen Passat, is believed to have been associated with the activities of the Volvo XC60.
Both vehicles were operating with cloned number plates to avoid detection but were picked up by the Force’s automated number plate recognition technology.
The Volvo XC60 involved in the initial reports has been traced and recovered in Middlesbrough as part of the criminal investigation.
Throughout the course of the weekend Cleveland Police, supported by officers and staff from Durham, Northumbria and North Yorkshire Police, have worked tirelessly to establish the circumstances which led to the fatal collision.
Those enquires have resulted in the arrests of 12 people across Teesside.
Nine men and three women, aged between 19 and 61 have been arrested on suspicion of several offences.
ossession of an offensive weapon, and are currently in police custody, and a woman aged 30 was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender and is in police custody.
A 35-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of participating in an organised crime group and possession of an offensive weapon, and is in police custody, and a man aged 21 was arrested on suspicion of participating in an organised crime group, possession of an offensive weapon and criminal damage. He has been remanded on recall to prison.
A 20-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of threats to cause criminal damage and public order, and is in police custody, and a woman aged 61 was arrested on suspicion of possessing a firearm without a certificate and has been released on conditional bail.
A woman aged 47 was arrested on suspicion of possessing a firearm without a certificate, possession with intent to supply class A and class B drugs and possession of class C drugs, and has been released on conditional bail.
A 18-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possessing a firearm without a certificate, possession with intent to supply class A and class B drugs and possession of class C drugs. He has been released on unconditional bail.
A man aged 39 was arrested on suspicion of possessing a firearm without a certificate, possession with intent to supply class A and class B drugs and possession of class C drugs, and was released on conditional bail.
A 26-year-old man from Redcar has been charged with possession with intent to supply class A and class B drugs and possession of criminal property, and a man aged 39 who was arrested on suspicion of threats to kill has been released on conditional bail.
At the current time, there is no evidence to indicate that filming of the activities that took place on Friday night and Saturday morning has taken place for the purposes of TikTok.
Four of the occupants of the Passat had previous police convictions.
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.”