Five more people arrested over fatal A66 crash that killed two police officers

A 16-year-old boy is among five more people that have been arrested by detectives investigating the events leading up to the crash on the A66 which left two police officers and five others dead, Cleveland Police said.

The latest update comes after Cleveland Police said 12 other people have been arrested on Monday over alleged criminality leading up to the collision in Teesside.

These included four people arrested on suspicion of participating in an organised crime group and four on suspicion of possessing a firearm.

Four of the suspects are also accused of possessing Class A and B drugs with intent to supply and one of the four, Cameron George, 26, of Micklow Close in Redcar, has been charged with possession with intent to supply Class A and B drugs and possession of criminal property.

On Tuesday morning, Paul Williams, acting deputy national chairman for the Police Federation of England and Wales, told BBC Breakfast that young people are “baiting police officers” with dangerous driving.

Williams said: “Every day we can identify now numerous examples of young people sensationalising dangerous driving. Not just dangerous driving, but baiting police officers who are out there to protect the public.

“It’s a real problem. It’s causing officers concern.

“They shouldn’t have to be going out and worrying about whether they’re going to return home from their shift or not. But on top of that, wondering if they’re going to be plastered all over social media.

“It’s absolutely unacceptable and social media platforms need to take some action.”

Four of the five young men in the car had previous criminal convictions, and were believed to be associated with another car which was seen ramming properties earlier that morning.

Pc Matthew Blades, 37, and Pc Tom Clough, 38, were killed when a Volkswagen Passat, which had been pursued by police, was driven the wrong way along a dual carriageway near Middlesbrough and hit their marked armed response vehicle.

The five people travelling in the Volkswagen, Cole Robert Worthy, 17, Theo Rae, 17, Makai Saddington, 18, and 23-year-olds Michael Robert Cahill and Jacob Matusiak, were pronounced dead at the scene at South Bank, early on Saturday.