Cleveland Police arrested 17 people during a major operation targeting suspected organised crime in Middlesbrough. The crackdown follows the deaths of two police officers in an A66 crash and subsequent disorder, including intimidation and vehicle fires at some vigils, raising concerns about criminal activity and public safety in the area.

Around 130 officers, including National Crime Agency personnel, carried out raids in South Bank, Grangetown and Eston under Operation Artemis. Police said they seized suspected Class A and Class C drugs, cash, weapons, an illegal e-bike, electric scooters, a suspected stolen construction tool and other items; they also stressed that a separate house fire killing two people was not thought to be connected to the crash.