Seven more men have been arrested as part of an organised crime investigation linked to the A66 crash that killed seven people, including two police officers. This brings the total number of arrests in the investigation to 24.
Four men, aged 21, 25, 35 and 40, were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage with intent to endanger life after a vehicle hit a house wall in South Bank near Middlesbrough. They are also being questioned on suspicion of arson after a caravan was set alight in Middlesbrough and on suspicion of possessing drugs with intent to supply.
Two men, aged 23 and 42, were arrested on suspicion of threats to kill, and a 30-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possessing criminal property. These three individuals have been released on conditional bail. Cleveland Police also seized £15,000 in cash.
The A66 crash resulted in the deaths of PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38. The occupants of the other vehicle, Michael Robert Cahill, 23, Jacob Matusiak, 23, Makai Saddington, 18, Theo Rae, 17, and Cole Robert Worthy, 17, also died.
Assistant Chief Constable Wayne Fox stated that the force's "robust approach" demonstrates its determination to pursue those believed to be "causing serious violence and harm to our communities."