Cleveland Police confirmed 12 arrests, nine men and three women.
Cleveland Police said nine men and three women, aged between 19 and 61, were detained as part of a wider investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fatal collision near Middlesbrough.
Police said those arrested are suspected of offences ranging from firearm possession to involvement in an organised crime group. Four of the five men who died in the Passat had previously been convicted of offences, according to investigators. Twelve people have been arrested in connection with criminal activity allegedly linked to a crash on the UK’s A66 that killed seven people, including two police officers. The crash happened when a Volkswagen Passat travelling in the wrong direction on the A66 collided with a marked armed response vehicle carrying PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough. Both officers died in the collision.
Investigation into criminal activity
The arrests form part of what Cleveland Police described as a large-scale investigation into criminal activity connected to the fatal collision. He added that the incident would have a lasting effect on the Cleveland community and thanked members of the public and police forces for their support.