Cleveland Police Chief Constable Victoria Fuller has denied that gangs control Middlesbrough, asserting that her force is "doing the very best with what we've got" and urgently requires additional funding and officers. Fuller made these remarks in an emotional interview following the deaths of two officers, PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38, who died on August 22 when their vehicle was struck by a car traveling the wrong way down the A66. Five young men in the other vehicle—Jakub Matusiak, 23, Michael Cahill, 23, Makai Saddington, 18, Theo Rae, 17, and Cole Worthy, 17—also died in the collision.
The Cleveland Police area, which includes Middlesbrough, currently has the highest crime rate in England and Wales. The region has seen a rise in car rammings, often used to intimidate rival gangs, and the recruitment of vulnerable teenagers for county lines operations. Fuller linked organized crime in the area to high levels of deprivation and unemployment, stating that criminals exploit young people who "have little aspiration or hope" and "don't have confidence in the state."
Fuller described PC Blades and PC Clough as "brave, committed, professional people who put the public before themselves," noting that their actions that day were routine. She has been advocating for increased funding for years, with the force having made two direct funding requests for additional resources during her four years in command. While welcoming a £2 million cash injection from Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood to combat serious crime, Fuller emphasized that £26 million is needed to effectively tackle organized gangs and street crime.
"These are complex, multi-generational issues that will not be solved by policing alone," Fuller told The Times. "It won't be solved overnight — and certainly not with £2 million." She added that the force deals with issues comparable to inner-city crime, but its budget does not reflect this demand, expressing a desire for Cleveland not to have the highest crime rate.
Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner Matt Storey stated that the force faces a £2.4 million funding shortfall, equivalent to approximately 40 full-time officers. He has previously criticized the government's funding as insufficient to meet the demands placed on Cleveland Police.
Unrest and Community Response
Following the A66 crash, a wave of unrest has been observed in Middlesbrough and County Durham. The funeral of Jakub Matusiak saw hundreds of mourners gather in Middlesbrough. Many attendees were requested to wear orange, Matusiak's favorite color. The service was marked by the arrival of luxury vehicles and significant floral tributes. The funeral procession caused traffic disruptions, and a brief period of applause and whistles was heard as the coffin was carried into the church.
In response to concerns about potential disorder, six schools in Middlesbrough closed at midday on the day of Matusiak's funeral. This decision drew criticism from some political figures. Officers reportedly stayed away from the funeral service itself, despite large crowds gathering outside, some of whom were wearing balaclavas and hoodies. Media representatives were also advised to leave the area during the service.
At a previous memorial event for Matusiak near the crash site, orange balloons were released, fireworks were set off, and bikers reportedly intimidated residents. Investigations are underway to determine if the five young men involved in the crash had links to serious and organized criminal activity. Records indicate that four of the group had a combined total of at least 37 previous convictions. Matusiak himself had prior convictions for driving without a license and using an uninsured vehicle.