Nine men and three women, aged between 19 and 61, have been arrested by officers investigating the events leading up to the crash on the A66 which killed two police officers, Cleveland Police said.
Pc Matthew Blades, 37, and Pc Tom Clough, 38 died when the vehicle they were driving was struck head-on by a Volkswagen Passat travelling on the wrong side of the A66 in Teesside on Saturday night.
Five young men travelling in the Passat – Cole Robert Worthy, 17, Theo Rae, 17, Makai Saddington, 18, and 23-year-olds Michael Robert Cahill and Jacob Matusiak – were pronounced dead at the scene.
One of the teenagers killed was involved in filming dangerous driving for TikTok before the fatal incident took place.
In an update issued by Cleveland Police on Monday afternoon, nine men and three women, aged between 19 and 61 have been arrested on suspicion of several offences ranging from possession of a firearm to participating in the activities of an organised crime group.
Assistant Chief Constable Wayne Fox, responsible for the strategic leadership of the investigation, said: "This has been a fast moving and complex investigation, with significant links to serious and organised criminal activity.
“The events of that tragic night will have a lasting and profound impact on the Cleveland area and the communities we seek to protect.
"We have a duty to respond to, and thoroughly investigate, the serious criminal activity that resulted in this fatal incident, and to bring all those responsible to justice.
“Our robust response will continue in the weeks and months to come, as we continue to tackle those that seek to cause harm to our communities and tackle serious and organised crime.’
“Officers and staff across Cleveland have shown incredible resilience in continuing their work in the face of tragedy.
“Two of their colleagues lost their lives while serving the people of Cleveland and, while the impact will be felt by our people for a long time to come, they have continued to act with the upmost professionalism.
“I am also extremely grateful for the support we have received, and continue to receive, from the public of Cleveland and our wider police family.”
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