The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the devastating events of Friday night and the early hours of Saturday morning has widened significantly, with detectives examining criminal activity alleged to have taken place before the fatal crash.
Nine men and three women, aged between 19 and 61, have now been arrested on suspicion of a number of offences.
The suspected offences range from possession of a firearm to participating in the activities of an organised crime group, demonstrating the scale and seriousness of the investigation now underway.
Seven people lost their lives in the collision, including serving Cleveland Police officers PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough.
The deaths of the two officers have sent shockwaves through Cleveland Police, the wider policing family and communities across the area.
For those of us with strong connections to Hartlepool and Cleveland, this is not simply another national news story. It is a tragedy that has happened within our own community and one whose impact is likely to be felt for a very long time.
Police address TikTok claims
Cleveland Police has also addressed speculation surrounding the events leading up to the collision.
At this stage of the investigation, police say there is no evidence to indicate that the activities taking place on Friday night and Saturday morning were being filmed for the purposes of TikTok.
As detectives continue to establish precisely what happened, it is particularly important that speculation circulating online is not presented as established fact.
The investigation remains fast-moving, and further evidence may emerge as officers continue their enquiries.
‘Significant links to serious and organised criminal activity’
Assistant Chief Constable Wayne Fox, who is responsible for the strategic leadership of the investigation, described the inquiry as both complex and extensive.
He said:
“This has been a fast moving and complex investigation, with significant links to serious and organised criminal activity.
“The events of that tragic night will have a lasting and profound impact on the Cleveland area and the communities we seek to protect.
“We have a duty to respond to, and thoroughly investigate, the serious criminal activity that resulted in this fatal incident, and to bring all 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.”
The comments make clear that the police response will extend considerably beyond the immediate aftermath of the collision.
The 12 arrests represent part of what Cleveland Police says will be a continuing operation against those suspected of involvement in serious and organised crime.
Officers continue working through unimaginable loss
Behind the scale of the criminal investigation is also a police force dealing with the deaths of two of its own.
PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough lost their lives while serving the people of Cleveland.
ACC Fox paid tribute to the officers and staff who have continued working despite the profound impact of the tragedy.
He said:
“Officers and staff across Cleveland have shown incredible resilience in continuing their work in the face of tragedy.
“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 utmost professionalism.”
He also thanked the public and the wider policing community for the support shown to the force.
“I am also extremely grateful for the support we have received, and continue to receive, from the public of Cleveland and our wider police family.”
An investigation that is far from over
Twelve arrests mark a significant development, but this investigation is clearly far from concluded.
The events preceding the collision, the alleged criminal activity involved and the actions of those suspected of participating in it will now form part of an extensive police investigation.
It is equally important to remember that an arrest does not amount to a finding of guilt. Those arrested are suspected of offences, and the investigation and any subsequent criminal proceedings must be allowed to take their course.
What is beyond dispute is the devastating human cost of what happened.
Seven people did not return home.
Among them were PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough — two police officers who went to work to serve their communities and never came home.
As Cleveland Police continues its investigation into the events surrounding that night, our thoughts remain with their families, friends, colleagues and everyone affected by this tragedy.
The impact on Cleveland — and particularly on the policing family — will not disappear when the headlines move on.
We will continue to report significant, verified developments as this investigation progresses.