The police watchdog has launched an investigation into the fatal collision on the A66 near Middlesbrough after security camera footage emerged appearing to show police vehicles pursuing a car shortly beforehand.

The CCTV footage is thought to have been recorded on Lime Road at 03:36 BST on Saturday, approximately three minutes before a Volkswagen Passat travelling the wrong way on the A66 collided head-on with a marked police car at South Bank. The BBC understands that the police vehicle involved in the crash was not part of the pursuit, and that the chase had ended prior to the collision.

Following a mandatory referral from Cleveland Police, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) confirmed it has opened an investigation into the circumstances of the crash.

PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough were killed in the incident on 22 August, alongside all five men who were inside the Volkswagen.

In the aftermath of the crash, the local area experienced a series of criminal disruptions, including vehicles being set on fire during a vigil and residential homes being rammed. Cleveland Police has arrested 27 people for offences linked to serious and organised crime, and around 200 officers from outside forces have been brought in to support local policing.

The latest developments come after Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced £2m in emergency government funding for Cleveland Police, following tributes paid to the two officers by Prime Minister Andy Burnham. Ms Mahmood told the House of Commons the grant was intended to assist the force in tackling serious crime and supporting the community.

However, the financial support has drawn criticism in Parliament. Conservative MP Chris Philp described the £2m package as "wholly inadequate", saying that "lawless gang chaos should never have been allowed to take root in the first place." Mr Philp argued the force needs at least £20m a year in additional funding to recruit and retain 200 extra officers to suppress organised crime.

Local representatives also warned of long-standing structural pressures. Andy McDonald, Labour MP for Middlesbrough and Thornaby East, told MPs that Cleveland has the highest crime rate of any force in England and Wales at around 123 recorded offences per 1,000 residents, alongside the largest percentage reduction in officer numbers since 2010.

Ms Mahmood agreed to meet with local MPs, including Luke Myer, MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, who also called for a funding review. The Home Secretary described reform of the national police funding formula as "absolutely critical" and said a timetable would be set out after an independent review of police structures.

I'll be following this one — check back for updates.