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Flag Lowered at Police HQ in Tribute to Officers Killed in A66 Tragedy
Cleveland Police Federation says donations will be split equally between the two officers’ families as the appeal continues to grow.
- On Saturday, August 22, 2026, PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough were killed on the A66 near Middlesbrough when their vehicle was struck head-on by a Volkswagen Passat traveling the wrong way.
- Cleveland Police initiated a pursuit after the Passat activated an ANPR camera, indicating potential links to "serious and organised criminal activity." The ongoing investigation has led to 17 arrests.
- A fundraiser established by the Cleveland Police Federation on Sunday has raised more than £850,000 for the two officers' families, with organisers stating funds will be split equally between them.
- Crime Commissioner David Allen stated, "The Union Flag at Cumbria Police HQ is rightly flying at half-mast to recognise the wider police service's tragic loss" and the loss of two serving officers from Cleveland Constabulary.
- Before joining the force, Blades worked as a teacher at Carmel College in Darlington, while Clough previously served at the Sellafield Operational Policing Unit in West Cumbria between 2013 and 2018.
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The Independent (US)Reposted by 
Rother Radio - Rotherham & Sheffield's Best Variety of Hits!
Rother Radio - Rotherham & Sheffield's Best Variety of Hits!Graffiti left for young men killed in A66 crash
Cleveland Police have arrested 17 people following the crash between a VW Passat and a marked armed response vehicle which left seven dead.
·London, United Kingdom
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources11
Leaning Left1Leaning Right2Center7Last UpdatedBias Distribution70% Center
Bias Distribution
- 70% of the sources are Center
70% Center
C 70%
R 20%
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