Hundreds of police officers have lined the streets for the funeral of an officer killed in the collision on the A66 near Middlesbrough that claimed seven lives.

The service took place amid heightened security that saw several local schools close early over safety concerns. Following the incident, Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced a £2m funding package for Cleveland Police to help tackle serious and organised crime across Middlesbrough.

The developments follow confirmation from the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) that officers did not make deliberate contact with the vehicle or deploy a stinger device prior to the fatal crash in the early hours of 22 August.

The collision occurred after a Volkswagen Passat travelled the wrong way along the dual carriageway. Two Cleveland Police officers, 38-year-old PC Tom Clough and 37-year-old PC Matthew Blades, died when their patrol vehicle was struck.

Five men in the Passat were also killed: Cole Worthy, 17, Makai Saddington, 18, Theo Rae, 17, Michael Cahill, 23, and Jakub Matusiak, 23. Cleveland Police previously stated the group may have had links to serious and organised crime, noting four of them had past convictions.

According to the watchdog's initial findings, the pursuit began at 3:33am. Six minutes and 12 seconds later, the Passat slowed before turning right onto the wrong side of the A66. The pursuing police driver did not follow the vehicle onto the wrong carriageway, switched off the blue warning lights, and continued along the correct side of the road. Approximately 17 seconds later, the Passat collided with the vehicle carrying PC Clough and PC Blades.

IOPC Director of Engagement Emily Barry stated: "We are aware there is speculation regarding how the collision occurred. There is no suggestion the collision was a result of any direct police contact, nor was a stinger used by the police in an attempt to stop the Passat."

Ms Barry added that the officers involved in the pursuit are being treated as witnesses, acknowledging the "devastating and long-lasting impact this incident has had on the families and those in the force, the policing community, and the wider local community."

The watchdog has commissioned two expert reports: one focusing on collision reconstruction and another reviewing pursuit policies and procedures. The IOPC noted that due to the volume of evidence, its full investigation will take months to complete.

I will continue to track the progress of the investigation and provide updates as the watchdog's full findings are released.