Football fans and players have paid tribute to two Cleveland Police officers killed in a crash on Teesside. PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough died in a head-on collision on the A66 near Middlesbrough on 22 August. Five occupants in the other vehicle also died.

A minute's applause was held before the Middlesbrough and West Bromwich Albion match at Riverside Stadium. Hartlepool United observed a two-minute silence before their National League game against Eastleigh. Earlier in the week, 17 people were arrested in connection with the investigation, bringing the total to 24.

Middlesbrough FC praised the dedication of the officers and the force's role in supporting the local community. Middlesbrough mayor Chris Cooke stated the force had been "extremely well" despite funding cuts, noting a over 10 per cent reduction in FTE officers while other areas saw increases. He argued police funding should "follow need" rather than population sizes.

The crash also claimed the lives of Michael Robert Cahill, Jacob Matusiak, Makai Saddington, Theo Rae, and Cole Robert Worthy.