Police watchdog finds no evidence of 'tactical contact' before A66 crash which killed two officers

You are about to be charged £0.00* *Your gift has been applied Thank you for subscribing! Police watchdog finds no evidence of 'tactical contact' before A66 crash which killed two officers PC Tom Clough, 38, and PC Matthew Blades, 37, died in the crash last month The fearless champion of Britain, its voices and its values. Join the fight for free speech and fearless journalism. By signing up you agree to our Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and Community Rules. Don't Miss Most Read Latest The police watchdog has found no evidence of "tactical contact" ahead of a crash along the A66 which killed two officers. Seven people died in the collision in the early hours of August 22 after a Volkswagen Passat drove the wrong way down the busy A-road near Middlesbrough. The probe did not find any use of a stinger ahead of the incident, the Independent Office for Police Conduct added. PC Tom Clough, 38, and PC Matthew Blades, 37, died in the collision which sent shockwaves through the local community in Middlesbrough which had become ridden with anti-social and gang-related crime. Cole Worthy, 17, Makai Saddington, 18, Theo Rae, 17, Michael Cahill, 23, and Jakub Matusiak, 23, were also killed in the crash. The force previously said the five men could have been linked with "serious and organised criminal activity". Four of the men had past convictions. After the incident, the IOPC launched an investigation into the surrounding circumstances "following a pursuit involving Cleveland Police officers". From initial studies, the IOPC said the pursuit began at 3.33am and six minutes and 12 seconds later, the Passat slowed as it approached the A66. The vehicle then turned right and headed the wrong way down the dual carriageway. Police have paid tribute to the officers killed in the crash |PA The watchdog confirmed the pursuing police driver did not follow the Passat along the wrong carriageway, turned off the blue warning lights and headed along the A66 on the right side of the road. The Passat and the car with PC Clough and PC Blades collided around 17 seconds later. IOPC Director of Engagement Emily Barry offered her sympathies to the family and friends of those involved. She said: "We continue to recognise the devastating and long-lasting impact this incident has had on the families and those in the force, the policing community, and the wider local community. LATEST ON THE A66 CRASH: The collision took place last month |PA "As our investigation continues to progress, I would like to reassure everyone that we are focused on establishing precisely what happened in the run-up to the tragic incident." She reiterated the force's "vital" commitment to a "thorough independent investigation" to set out the full circumstances. Ms Barry added: "The officers involved at this stage are being treated as witnesses. "We are aware there is speculation regarding how the collision occurred. "There is no suggestion the collision was a result of any direct police contact, nor was a stinger used by the police in an attempt to stop the Passat. "It’s important to acknowledge that due to the vast amount of information to be reviewed, analysed and verified, along with the expert reports that have been commissioned to support our investigation, we anticipate it will take months, rather than weeks, to conclude our investigation. "We have ensured that all families have been made aware of our involvement and they will be provided with regular updates throughout." The IOPC has commissioned two reports since the crash. One will assess the collision reconstruction, while the second will examine necessary policies and procedures for officers engaging in pursuits.