Cleveland Police's Chief Constable, Victoria Fuller, has expressed pride in her force but stated it is being "let down" by its funding. Speaking to the BBC, Ms Fuller said the force needs to become part of a larger, strategic force with greater resources.
Ms Fuller highlighted that her officers are dealing with some of the highest crime levels in the country, akin to those faced by metropolitan forces, despite having less than half the number of officers. Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures for the year to March show Cleveland has the highest recorded crime rate in England and Wales.
The Home Secretary announced an additional £2m for Cleveland Police this week to help deal with the aftermath of a fatal A66 crash that killed seven people, including two police officers. Ms Fuller expressed gratitude for the support but added, "I need that all the time." The Home Office stated that the force will receive up to £197.8m in funding for the 2026/2027 financial year, a 3.7% cash uplift, and has committed to a wider review of the police funding formula.
Multiple arrests have been made as part of a wider police operation against organised crime following the A66 crash. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said officers had been pursuing a Volkswagen Passat, connected to alleged criminal activity, for almost seven minutes before the pursuit was abandoned 10 seconds before the collision.
Ms Fuller also paid tribute to the two officers who died in the A66 crash, PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough. She denied that gangs control parts of Middlesbrough, describing it as a "complex" area to police with high rates of school absence, drug addiction, and mental health issues.