Cleveland Police get £2m after fatal crash kills seven

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced on Thursday that Cleveland Police will receive an extra £2 million in funding, following the fatal crash on the A66 near Middlesbrough on 22 August that killed two officers and five men. The money is earmarked to help the force tackle a surge of serious and organised crime that has erupted in the wake of the tragedy.

The crash, in which a Volkswagen Passat travelling the wrong way collided head‑on with a police vehicle at South Bank, left PC Matthew Blades, PC Tom Clough, and five civilians dead. In the days after the incident, the force has faced a string of violent events, including homes being rammed and vehicles set on fire at a vigil. To deal with the situation, 200 officers from outside Cleveland were drafted in, and the force has already arrested 27 people linked to organised crime. The additional £2 million is intended to support these efforts and to bolster the force’s capacity to respond to the heightened lawlessness.

Mahmood said the money would help the police “tackle serious crime in the area” and praised the officers’ sacrifice. She added that the government would review the funding formula that determines how much money each force receives. The announcement was met with mixed reactions. Conservative MP Chris Philp called the pledge “wholly inadequate” and warned of a broader funding shortfall. Cleveland’s Labour Police and Crime Commissioner, Matt Storey, said a one‑off payment does not solve chronic under‑funding, arguing the force needs at least £20 million more each year to recruit 200 additional officers. Labour MP Andy McDonald highlighted that Cleveland Police has the highest crime rate in England and Wales, with 123 recorded crimes per 1,000 residents, and noted the force has seen the largest percentage reduction in funding in recent years.

The government will now examine how the £2 million is allocated and whether it can be matched with longer‑term investment. If the review leads to a sustained increase, Cleveland Police could strengthen its numbers and resources, potentially curbing the surge in serious crime. Until then, the force will continue to rely on temporary funding and external support to maintain public safety in a community that is still grieving and anxious.