Cleveland Police's Chief Constable Victoria Fuller has stated that her force is being "let down" by its funding, following a fatal crash that claimed seven lives, including two police officers.
In an interview with the BBC, Fuller described her officers as being tasked with handling crime levels comparable to those faced by metropolitan forces, despite having less than half the number of officers. She indicated that the force needs to be integrated into a larger, more strategically resourced entity.
The incident occurred when a Volkswagen Passat, traveling the wrong way down the A66 near Middlesbrough, collided with a marked police car. The Passat had been pursued by officers for nearly seven minutes after being linked to earlier alleged criminal activity. The pursuit was reportedly abandoned 10 seconds before the crash when the vehicle turned onto the dual carriageway, according to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
Fuller, whose jurisdiction covers an area including Middlesbrough and Teesside, expressed pride in her force's bravery but acknowledged the significant challenges they face. Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures indicate that Cleveland Police grapples with the highest recorded crime rate in England and Wales. Simultaneously, Fuller noted that the force has experienced the largest decrease in officer numbers since 2010, operating with staffing levels akin to a rural force.
"It absolutely needs to change," Fuller stated, expressing hope for national policing reforms that would elevate Cleveland Police to become part of larger, strategic forces with the resources and capability to respond effectively to surges in demand. "In the meantime, we need additional funding... to take us to that point."
In response to the recent fatal crash, the home secretary announced an additional £2 million for Cleveland Police and deployed 200 officers from other areas. Fuller acknowledged this support but emphasized her need for consistent, ongoing funding.
Cleveland's Labour police and crime commissioner has previously called for an additional £20 million annually to recruit more officers and combat organized crime. Fuller described the area as complex to police, citing high rates of school absence, drug addiction, and mental health issues, which she believes are exacerbated by high levels of deprivation and unemployment that fuel organized crime. "When young people have little aspiration or hope, who don't have confidence in the state, then unfortunately criminals exploit these people," Fuller said. "We're doing the very, very best with what we've got - and we absolutely do need more."
Multiple arrests have been made in connection with a wider police operation targeting organized crime following the crash.