A gang is alleged to have rammed the home of Theo Rae’s mother shortly before Rae, 17, and four others were killed in a fatal collision on the A66 near Middlesbrough. Reports say the group then drove around seeking those responsible, were pursued by police and travelled the wrong way along the dual carriageway before hitting a marked police vehicle; the deaths have intensified concern about gang-related violence in the area.

The crash killed Rae, Cole Worthy, Michael Cahill, Jakub Matusiak and Makai Saddington, as well as PCs Matthew Blades, 37, and Tom Clough, 38. The pursuit reportedly lasted seven minutes, while the collision occurred shortly after it was called off; inquests into the officers’ deaths have been opened and adjourned. Cleveland Police has deployed more than 200 additional officers and made 17 arrests amid further vehicle-ramming incidents, a fatal house fire and other violence, though police have not confirmed that all incidents are linked.