Police officers in Cleveland are working 20-hour shifts as they investigate a crash and a fire that have led to nine deaths, according to a Police Federation representative. Cleveland Police Federation chair Lauren Somerville told BBC Radio Tees that the situation has been "more intense than ever in amongst pain and grief".
Seven people, including PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough, died in a crash near Middlesbrough on Saturday. This was followed by a house fire in Grangetown on Wednesday, which claimed the lives of Natalie McDonald, 34, and her seven-year-old niece Valentina Foster.
An additional 200 police officers are being sent to assist with investigations and support. Inquests into the seven deaths from the A66 crash opened on Thursday. Police have stated that 17 people, aged between 18 and 61, have been arrested across Teesside as part of an investigation into the lead-up to the crash, on offences including possession of a firearm and being part of an organised crime group.
A fundraiser for the two police officers who died in the crash has raised over £1m. Leader of Redcar and Cleveland Council Alec Brown said the council's priority is for residents to feel safe in their homes.