A66 fatal crash near Middlesbrough: 17 arrested amid gang turf war claims

Seven people died in the A66 crash, including two Cleveland Police officers. Seventeen arrests have now been made as investigators examine alleged gang rivalry links.

A66 gang feud claims emerge as arrest toll rises to 17 after seven killed

Seventeen people have now been arrested in connection with the deadly crash on the A66 near Middlesbrough that killed two police officers and five occupants of a pursued vehicle, the Daily Express reports, with new claims pointing to a turf war between rival gangs as the trigger for the incident.

Five further arrests were made following the collision on Saturday, which claimed the lives of seven people in total. Among those newly detained were a 16-year-old boy and two men aged 18 and 21, all held on suspicion of participating in an organised crime group. A 55-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender, and a 23-year-old on suspicion of threats to kill.

Cleveland Police confirmed that one of the 12 people arrested on Monday — a 19-year-old man from Redcar — has since been charged with possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life. He appeared at Teesside Magistrates' Court on Tuesday 25 August. A 26-year-old man, also from Redcar, was charged with possession with intent to supply Class A and Class B drugs and possession of criminal property; he has been remanded in custody ahead of an appearance at Teesside Crown Court on Monday 21 September.

Father's home allegedly ram-raided minutes before crash

Community leaders in Middlesbrough told The Telegraph that balaclava-wearing gangs of joyriding youths had become commonplace in the area. The home of Gye Worthy, father of 17-year-old crash victim Cole Worthy, was allegedly ram-raided at 3am on Saturday — minutes before the fatal collision. A vehicle is alleged to have reversed into the front window of the property twice, causing significant damage, according to people living near the scene. There is no suggestion that Gye Worthy was involved in any criminal activity.

Cleveland Police reportedly declined to comment on claims that gang rivalry contributed to the pursuit that preceded the crash.

Cloned plates and automated recognition technology

Police said on Saturday they received multiple reports of two vehicles being driven dangerously. The first, believed to be a Volvo XC60, was seen ramming properties in the Middlesbrough area. The second, a Volkswagen Passat, is understood to have been connected to the Volvo's movements. Both vehicles were fitted with cloned number plates to evade detection, but were identified using the force's automated number plate recognition technology. The Volvo XC60 has since been traced and recovered in Middlesbrough.

The Volvo is now central to the criminal investigation, including into the alleged ram-raid at the Worthy family home, as reported by The Mirror.

Seven killed at 3.39am on the A66

PC Tom Clough, 38, and PC Matthew Blades, 37, died when the Volkswagen Passat — travelling the wrong way along the A66 at South Bank — struck their marked armed response vehicle head-on at 3.39am on Saturday. The five occupants of the Passat also died: Cole Robert Worthy, 17; Theo Rae, 17; Makai Saddington, 18; Michael Robert Cahill, 23; and Jacob Matusiak, 23.

A public fundraiser for the families of the two officers has raised more than £973,000.

'Significant links to serious and organised criminal activity'

Assistant Chief Constable Wayne Fox, leading the strategic direction of the investigation, described the inquiry as fast-moving and complex. "This has been a fast moving and complex investigation, with significant links to serious and organised criminal activity," Fox said. "The events of that tragic night will have a lasting and profound impact on the Cleveland area and the communities we seek to protect."

Fox added that the force had a duty to investigate the criminal activity that resulted in the fatal incident and to bring those responsible to justice. "Our robust response will continue in the weeks and months to come, as we continue to tackle those that seek to cause harm to our communities and tackle serious and organised crime," he said.

He praised officers and staff for maintaining professionalism in the wake of the tragedy, and expressed gratitude for public support. "Two of their colleagues lost their lives while serving the people of Cleveland and, while the impact will be felt by our people for a long time to come, they have continued to act with the upmost professionalism," Fox said.

Source: Daily Express