Middlesbrough - live: More arrests made after wrong-way A66 crash killed cops

Middlesbrough - live: More arrests made after wrong-way A66 crash killed cops Cleveland Police announced more arrests on Friday as part of an operation against organised crime following the A66 crash - but said the deadly house fire in Grangetown was not linked to the collision Police on Friday said seven more men have been arrested as part of an operation against organised crime following the A66 crash, which led to the deaths of two police officers and five young males. It means Cleveland Police has now arrested 24 people since the collision between a marked police vehicle and a Volkswagen Passat near Middlesbrough last Saturday. However, the force also confirmed detectives are not linking a fatal house fire which killed a seven-year-old girl and her aunt to last weekend’s deadly A66 crash. On Wednesday, Valentina Foster, seven, and her aunt Natalie McDonald, 34, were tragically killed in a house fire in Grangetown on Teesside. Two men have since been arrested on suspicion of murder. Following that, on Thursday morning a wall at a house in South Bank was allegedly rammed by a car. Some of the latest arrests relate to this incident. It came as footage shared online showed a number of cars on fire in a field in Haswell, County Durham, as balloons were released at a memorial event for Michael Robert Cahill, 23, one of the five men in the Passat. It appeared the cars - including an £80K Porsche - were set ablaze as part of the event. Key Events Two people are still in hospital following the house fire that Natalie McDonald, 34, and her seven-year-old niece Valentina Foster, Cleveland Police said earlier this evening. Officers were called to reports of a blaze at Birchington Avenue in Grangetown at 5.23am on August 26. Two men aged 23 and 31 remain in police custody on suspicion of murder in relation to the blaze. In a new update, cops have said a 48-year-old woman remains in the Royal Victoria Infirmary in a “critical but stable” condition and a 27-year-old man is still at James Cook University hospital receiving treatment. Two teenage girls have both been discharged after suffering non life-threatening injuries. If you're just joining us, there have been two significant developments in the police probes into a series of incidents that have rocked Middlesbrough in the last week. Police have launched investigations in the wake of the death of two officers, Pc Matthew Blades and Pc Tom Clough, who were killed last weekend when a Volkswagen Passat was driven the wrong way down the A66 dual carriageway and struck their police car. Tonight, detectives have announced they do not believe there is a link between the A66 crash and a house fire which claimed the lives of Natalie McDonald, 34, and seven-year-old Valentina Foster, in the Grangetown area of Middlesborugh. Secondly, Cleveland Police has arrested another seven suspects in relation to the A66 crash, bringing the total to 24, as they try to disrupt organised crime thought to be associated with the fatal smash. The Mirror reported yesterday King Charles was moved to write letters of condolence to the families of PC Tom Clough, 38, and PC Matthew Blades, 37, who were killed in the wrong-way A66 crash which started a 'tragic' weekend in Cleveland. A Royal source said: "His Majesty the King was shocked by the devastating events and wrote personally to the families of the police officers involved to express his deepest sympathies for their loss." The King's moving, private words to the families will be matched by a public outpouring of support for the police officers. At 12:30pm, Middlesbrough FC fans have been urged to 'show our appreciation for the dedication and hard work of both men, and to Cleveland police force in protecting and supporting our local community', a club statement said. Matt Storey, the police and crime commissioner for Cleveland, earlier said the past week has been "the most tragic" in the area’s history as he thanked officers for their hard work. He stressed that "the outdated and ineffective funding system" for policing "disadvantages" his force. Middlesbrough FC has asked fans to show their respect to the two police officers who died in the A66 crash, prior to their game against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday. The club said in a statement: “Immediately before kick-off, we’re asking supporters to join us in paying respects to Pc Matthew Blades and Pc Tom Clough, the two Cleveland police officers who tragically lost their lives in the line of duty last weekend. “We are also showing our appreciation for the dedication and hard work of both men, and to Cleveland police force in protecting and supporting our local community. “The commitment shown by officers and staff, often in challenging and demanding circumstances, plays a vital role in keeping residents safe and helping people feel secure in their homes, neighbourhoods and local areas.” Cleveland Police Assistant Chief Constable Wayne Fox said: “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.” A 48-year-old woman injured in the house fire in Grangetown remains in a "critical but stable condition" at the Royal Victoria Infirmary, Cleveland Police said in an update this evening. Meanwhile, a 27-year-old man remains at James Cook University Hospital receiving treatment. Two teenage girls have been discharged from hospital after receiving treatment for non-life-threatening injuries. The force added that two men, aged 23 and 31, who were arrested on suspicion of murder on Wednesday in connection with the blaze, remain in custody. Police earlier said the fire was not linked to the A66 crash. Seven more men have been arrested as Cleveland Police attempt to disrupt organised crime in the wake of the A66 crash which killed two officers. The force said the total number of those arrested in the investigation has risen to 24, with several charged with serious offences and a number of offenders recalled to prison. The latest arrests include four men – aged 35, 25, 40, 21 – who are in custody being questioned on suspicion of criminal damage with intent to endanger life, arson and possession with intent to supply class A drugs. The arson relates to a caravan that was set alight on Atlee Road in Middlesbrough at 5.30am on Wednesday while the criminal damage with intent to endanger life relates to a suspected ramming of a garden wall in Steele Crescent in Middlesbrough on the early hours of Sunday morning. All four men were in a vehicle stopped by police on Kingsley Road in Grangetown at 10.30pm on Thursday August 27. Class A drugs and a Mercedes car were seized, police said. The three other men arrested are a 23-year-old man held on suspicion of threats to kill, a 42-year-old man detained on suspicion of threats to kill and possession of criminal property and a 30-year-old man arrested on suspicion of possession of criminal property, the force added. All three have been released on conditional bail. Police arrested 17 people after the A66 crash, which followed a police pursuit, as part of investigations into alleged organised crime. Cleveland Police said today that 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 been released on bail - 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. Assistant Chief Constable Dave Sutherland, the head of local policing at Cleveland Police, said: "Since the tragic incident last Saturday morning in which seven people, including two of our serving police officers, Pc Matthew Blades and Pc Tom Clough, sadly lost their lives, officers and staff have remained working around the clock to continue to serve the public of Cleveland. "In the same week, we have also seen a tragic house fire on Wednesday in which two people lost their lives, which is also understandably impacting the force and our local communities. "At this time, we are not linking this incident to the fatal collision on the A66. Our thoughts remain with all those affected by these incidents as we continue our investigations into what happened. "Since these two horrific events, the reality of policing in Cleveland and the levels of violence suffered in our communities, has come under the spotlight on a national level. "Brave officers face significant challenges day in day out, but I want to reassure the public that we will remain unwavering in our efforts to tackle criminals and protect our communities. "Despite these challenges, calls for service to the force are being answered effectively, we are deploying to incidents, and investigating crime as we do every day. "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 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. "Lastly, I want to thank the general public. Our officers work closely with many corners of our communities on a daily basis to tackle issues in their local neighbourhoods, and whose support these past seven days has been overwhelming and very much appreciated. It has provided officers, staff and the families of the officers with great comfort." Detectives are not linking a house fire on Wednesday, which killed a seven-year-old girl and her aunt, to a crash on the A66 on Saturday, which left seven people dead, including two police officers, Cleveland Police has said. King Charles has written letters of condolence to the families of the two officers killed in the A66 tragedy, the Mirror was told. Charles sent his deepest sympathy to the widows of Cleveland Police officers PC Tom Clough, 38, and PC Matthew Blades, 37. The King wanted to add his voice to the extraordinary show of support for the two officers who "made the ultimate sacrifice" in the line of duty. Read more on this exclusive story here. Durham Police said officers were called to a 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. A force spokesperson 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." The spokesperson said no one was injured and no arrests were made. Anna Turley, MP for Redcar, said the scenes of vehicles being driven dangerously across fields and then set alight at a vigil for one of the men who died in the A66 crash were "completely unacceptable". In a post on Facebook, Home Office minister Ms Turley said: "It puts lives at risk, places even more pressure on our already stretched emergency services and leaves residents frightened and angry in their own communities. "After everything our area has endured over the past week, I will not accept this kind of behaviour becoming normalised." The minister said she had written to Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council and the Police and Crime Commissioner asking for a zero-tolerance approach to dangerous and antisocial behaviour, and "for every appropriate power available to be used to protect our communities". She later thanked council leader Alec Brown for organising an "emergency meeting" on Friday. Mirror journalist Jeremy Armstrong is in Teesside Middlesbrough Labour MP Andy McDonald today warned that the loss of frontline Cleveland Police officers had hit the force hard. He welcomed the arrival of 200 reinforcements from outside the area, and is in contact with the Prime Minister about the response to the A66 tragedy. Officers from Durham, North, West and South Yorkshire and Northumbria have been called in to tackle the gangland violence. Mr McDonald, MP for Middlesbrough and Cleveland, told the Mirror: "The change in full time police officers between 2010 and 2025 showed Surrey had the biggest rise in police numbers and funding while Cleveland was rock bottom. It was a real terms cut. "There is multiple deprivation in Teesville in TS6 and TS3. The true nature of these problems must be understood; you cannot condemn an entire community. We have to understand why these young men get involved in organised crime, they are the ones careering around in a car. "I condemn their actions without any equivocation whatsoever. We must address the underlying causes of crime. I am talking to Ministers and also in touch with the Prime Minister himself. We need to sort this out." Mirror journalist Jeremy Armstrong is in Teesside The fundraiser for the families of fallen officers PC Tom Clough and PC Matthew Blades is closing in on its £1.2m target. PC Clough, 38, and PC Blades, 37, died in the crash in the early hours of Saturday. The Cleveland Police Federation set up an online appeal which has now raised £1,117,584. A separate appeal has also reached almost £52,000. The money raised will be given to the families of the two officers. Mirror journalist Jeremy Armstrong is in Teesside One of the cars burnt out at the vigil for A66 crash victim Michael Cahill was believed to be an £80,000 Porsche Cayenne. Eyewitnesses said the vehicle was set alight on the outskirts of Haswell, Co Durham during the vigil for Cahill. The vigil site is around 18 miles from the A66 tragedy scene where Cahill lost his life. This morning, all of the vehicles had been removed. Aerial shots showed the scorched earth where the five cars had been burned. Two men have been arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with a fire which killed Natalie McDonald, 34, and seven-year-old Valentina Foster and injured four others in Grangetown on Wednesday. Ms McDonald’s devastated brother Josh Kirton told reporters: “My sister was not involved with anything to do with gangs, or the (crash on the) A66. “That’s what makes this so senseless. “People think they can do whatever they like. “There’s some terrible people in the world and now my sister and Valentina have gone.” A woman remains in the Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) in a critical condition, and a further three people have suffered non-life-threatening injuries who are currently receiving treatment in hospital, Cleveland Police said. In a statement on Wednesday the force said: “We are keeping an open mind and cannot rule out any links to wider organised crime at this time.” Police have issued an update on the 17 people arrested following the crash on the A66. On Monday, 12 people were arrested while on Tuesday, cops arrested a further five people. Monday, August 24 - A 24-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of participating in an organised crime group and possession of an offensive weapon and has been released on conditional bail. - A 19-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of participating in an organised crime group and has been released on conditional bail for this offence. He has however been charged with possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life. Kai Beattie, of Foxrush Close in Redcar, appeared at Teesside Magistrates Court on Tuesday 25 August/ - A 30-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender and has been released on conditional bail. - A 35-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of participating in an organised crime group and possession of an offensive weapon and has been released on conditional bail. - A 21-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of participating in an organised crime group, possession of an offensive weapon and criminal damage and has been released on conditional bail. He has been remanded on recall to prison. - A 20-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of threats to cause criminal damage and public order and is in police custody. - A 61-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of possessing a firearm without a certificate and has been released on conditional bail. - A 47-year-old woman has been 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 has been 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 unconditional bail. - A 39-year-old man has been 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 26-year-old man has been charged with possession with intent to supply class A and class B drugs and possession of criminal property. Cameron George, of Micklow Close in Redcar, has been remanded in custody until 21 September where he is due to appear at Teesside Crown Court. - A 39-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of threats to kill and has been released on conditional bail. Tuesday, August 25 - A 16-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of participate in an organised crime group and has been released on conditional bail. - An 18-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of participate in an organised crime group has been released on a conditional bail. - A 21-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of participate in an organised crime group has been released on conditional bail. He has been charged with possession with intent to supply a class B drug. Kai Inico, of Alverton Green, in Middlesbrough, has appeared at magistrates' court on August 27 and was given conditional bial. He will appear at the crown court on September 24 - A 55-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender has been released on conditional bail. - A 23-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of threats to kill and has been released on conditional bail. Additionally, two men aged 23 and 31 were arrested on suspicion of murder on Wednesday, after Valentina Foster, 7, and her aunt Natalie McDonald, 34, were killed in a house fire in Grangetown. Police said investigators were “keeping an open mind” about the cause of the blaze and did not “rule out any links to wider organised crime”. The area of the country covered by Cleveland Police, which includes Middlesbrough, has the highest crime rate in England and Wales, figures show. There were 123.4 recorded crimes per 1,000 population in the Cleveland area in the year to March 2026, according the latest available Home Office figures. This is some way ahead of the force with the next highest rate, West Yorkshire (107.9), as well as the largest forces Greater Manchester (103.7) and the Metropolitan Police (101.0). Cleveland also tops the list in various categories of crime - Shoplifting (15.9 recorded offences per 1,000 people) - Criminal damage and arson (15.0 per 1,000) - Violence with injury (12.6 per 1,000) - Burglary (6.1 per 1,000) - Sexual offences (5.0 per 1,000) - Cleveland Police also had a homicide rate of 21.7 per million people in the year to March, higher than any other force. - It has the second highest rate for all offences involving violence against the person (44.3 per 1,000 people) Four local authority areas are covered by Cleveland Police: Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar & Cleveland and Stockton-on-Tees. It had 1,503 full-time equivalent officers as of March 31 2026, ranking it 31st out of the 43 territorial forces in England and Wales by size. Leader of Redcar and Cleveland Council, Alec Brown, said he has written to Prime Minister Andy Burnham to thank the Government for the additional resources but asking for more. Mr Brown said: "Over the last five or 10 years, some of our estates – the most deprived in the country – were at the coal-face of austerity. Cleveland Police were slashed by up to 500 officers, and I think what we’re seeing now is them doing an heroic job in very difficult circumstances, with limited resources from what they had in previous years." Mr Brown said two fatal events within a few days was "unprecedented" and had left people "scared". He said: "We’ve had nine deaths in the space of six days, starting with that horrific A66 crash. "To lose nine lives with such close proximity of each other…. that’s led to people feeling unsafe in their own homes." He added: "I get there is speculation whether there’s a gang turf war, these type of things, but as you can imagine, if you were to lose nine lives in your community, on your doorstep, you would feel unsafe in your own home." He said: "I had an update with the superintendent yesterday, and she’s working 20-hour days. She said reports to the police have been unbelievable over the last week." The councillor added: "I’m from an estate very much like the make-up of South Bank and Grangetown, and I know how wonderful those people are and how close they are. "This is why it’s having such an impact on their mentality, because these communities are close. Everybody knows each other, so… one loss is tragic – nine is unbelievable to deal with." Images posted on social media show the chaotic scenes from the vigil held for Michael Cahill yesterday evening. Cars can be seen skidding across the field near Haswell, County Durham where crowds of young people can be seen setting off blue smoke and releasing helium balloons as motorbikes revved their engines. Clips also show several cars set alight and burning in the field. Michael’s mum had previously urged friends to bring “bikes, jeeps, cars and quads” to a balloon release. Video footage of the aftermath of last night’s memorial event shows scorched groud where cars were set on fire, muddy tyre tracks and discarded fireworks after people gathered in a field near Haswell, County Durham for the vigil for Michael Cahill, 23, who died in the A66 crash on Saturday. An MP has described the spate of violence in the Middlesbrough area as "terrorism". Labour MP for Middlesbrough and Thornaby East Andy McDonald made the comments as councillors revealed 200 extra police officers were helping under-pressure Cleveland Police staff. Mr McDonald told Times Radio: "People are saying that they are going to their shops and not feeling safe to do so and feeling trapped in their own homes. That is just unacceptable. "This is terrorism and we’ve got to have an appropriate response to deal with the people who are causing such mayhem in our communities and to allow people to lead their peaceful lives. That isn't happening. We need the resources." Cars set on fire at a memorial thought to have been held in memory of Michael Robert Cahill, 23, who died in the A66 crash were set ablaze as part of the event, it has been reported. His friends paid tribute to him by skidding the cars around a farmer's field and churning up the ground before setting the motors alight, the Sun reports. Mirror journalist Jeremy Armstrong is in Teesside A boy of 16 has been arrested on suspicion of participate in an organised crime group in connection with the A66 crash inquiry, police confirmed today. He has been released on bail. Two men, aged 18 and 21, arrested on suspicion of participating in an organised crime group have also been released on conditional bail, Cleveland police said. The 21-year-old has been charged with possession with intent to supply a class B drug. A 55-year-old man arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender has been released on conditional bail. A 23-year-old man arrested on suspicion of threats to kill has also been released on conditional bail, all arrests in connection with the A66 crash. The scenes of burning vehicles come after a wave of violence in Middlesbrough following the fatal A66 crash which has seen hundreds of extra police officers drafted in. - A series of suspected gang-related incidents started after the crash on Saturday, which saw a Volkswagen Passat that had been evading police and travelling the wrong way down the A66 crashed into a police car, killing two officers and the five men in the Volkswagen. Police said 17 people have been arrested so far in connection with the incident. - Then on Wednesday, Valentina Foster, 7, and her aunt Natalie McDonald, 34, were killed in a house fire in Grangetown. Two men have since been arrested on suspicion of murder. Police said investigators were “keeping an open mind” about the cause of the blaze and did not “rule out any links to wider organised crime”. - On Thursday morning in South Bank, Middlesbrough a house was rammed by a “jeep-type car” according to a neighbour.The vehicle kept driving into the front wall of the home until it was “smashed down” the neighbour said. - At around noon on Thursday a 39-year-old man was stabbed on the Bankfields estate in Eston, only two miles from the scene of the fatal crash. Armed police were dispatched to the scene where the front door of a house had been smashed. The victim is currently in hospital receiving treatment. - Following the incidents, Alec Brown, leader of Redcar and Cleveland Council, said more than 200 extra police officers have been, or will be, deployed from around the country to support Cleveland Police. Officers from neighbouring forces, including Northumbria Police, Durham Constabulary and Humberside Police, have been called in, as well as officers from the National Crime Agency. A video clip shows cars burning at the vigil for Michael Cahill, 23, who died in the A66 head-on crash that killed two police officers. At least five vehicles were reportedly set alight at the event in a field near Haswell, County Durham. A series of vigils and balloon releases have already been held following the deaths of the five young men. Around 100 people gathered on Wednesday night to pay tribute to Makai, Theo and Cole, with some of those attending seen setting off flares. A separate vigil was held for Jacob Matusiak on Monday, where orange balloons were released into the sky as crowds cheered. People wearing face coverings were also pictured setting off coloured flares, filling the sky with thick orange, red and blue smoke. Michael Cahill, 23, was among five travelling in a Volkswagen Passat which crashed into a marked police car while travelling the wrong way on the A66. Michael’s mum urged friends to bring “bikes, jeeps, cars and quads” to a balloon release in a field in Peterlee, County Durham, on Thursday evening. The message was posted on social media as she announced a reported “change of plans” for the tribute.