Crime & Justice
A66 crash that killed seven triggers organised crime investigation in Middlesbrough
September 6, 2026 at 06:54 AM
Coverage
3 reports · over 167 hours
BNBBC News
BBC visits area at heart of police investigation after A66 crash
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BNBBC News
'I'd rather die than ring the police': Distrust and fear in Middlesbrough after A66 crash
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BNBBC News
'It's destroying our town': Residents tell of concern after violent incidents near Middlesbrough
(opens the publisher’s site)A police pursuit crash on the A66 killed seven people, including two officers, and prompted a large organised crime operation in Middlesbrough amid deep community distrust of police.
- On 22 August, a Volkswagen Passat pursued by police travelled the wrong way along the A66 and collided head-on with a police vehicle, killing seven people including two officers.
- Cleveland Police has arrested more than 20 people since the crash as part of an operation into "serious and organised crime" and deployed more than 200 additional officers.
- Police said a Volvo XC60 was rammed into the home of Cole Worthy's father on the night of the crash.
- Chief Constable Victoria Fuller said the distrust of police reported by the BBC was "horrifying" and that the force would continue to serve its communities.