Seven more people are arrested in organised crime probe following fatal A66 crash that killed seven people including two police officers

Four arrests have been made after a vehicle was rammed into a house and a caravan was set on fire in the wake of the A66 crash. In total, police have made seven new arrests as part of a crackdown on organised crime following the smash in Middlesbrough on Saturday, that left seven people dead. Officers said the four men, aged 35, 25, 40 and 21, were being held on suspicion of criminal damage with intent to endanger life after a vehicle crashed into a house on Steele Crescent on Thursday.They were also being questioned over alleged arson after a caravan was set alight in Atlee Road on Wednesday morning, and a drugs offence.The force said the men were in a vehicle when they were stopped by police in Grangetown on Thursday night. A quantity of class A drugs has been seized, officers confirmed, as well as a Mercedes. The three other men arrested were a 23-year-old man, on suspicion of threats to kill, a 42-year-old on suspicion of threats to kill and possession of criminal property, and a 30-year-old on suspicion of possession of criminal property.All three have been released on conditional bail.In total, Cleveland Police has now detained 24 people as part of its organised crime probe. A home in the South Bank area of Middlesbrough was rammed by a car in the early hours of Thursday Close friends Theo Rae (left) and Cole Worthy died in the crash on Saturday Police at the scene of the fatal crash on the A66 in South Bank near Middlesbrough on SaturdayPolice previously said the occupants of the Volkswagen Passat, who hit a police car head-on after driving the wrong way down the dual-carriageway, may have had links to 'serious and organised criminal activity'. Four of the five young men in the car had previous criminal convictions, and were believed to be associated with another car which was seen ramming properties earlier that morning. Those that died have been named as 23-year-olds Michael Robert Cahill and Jacob Matusiak, Makai Saddington, 18, Cole Worthy, 17, and Theo Rae, 17. Middlesbrough and County Durham have been gripped by a wave of violence since their deaths, which has left some residents too intimidated to leave their homes.Earlier on Friday, detectives confirmed they are not linking a house fire which killed a seven-year-old girl and her aunt to the A66 crash. Hundreds of extra officers were yesterday drafted in from around the country in an effort to restore law and order. The Daily Mail previously revealed that before the stolen Volkswagen Passat collided head-on with a police vehicle, it had allegedly been chasing a rival gang as part of a violent feud. Makai Saddington, one of the five killed in the Volkswagen, posted videos on TikTok of him being chased by police and was awaiting trial for racially abusing and assaulting officers Michael Robert Cahill was one of the five in the VW PassatIt followed an earlier incident in which a house in the Acklam area of Middlesbrough belonging to Cole's father was rammed by a vehicle.The pursuit was aborted when the Passat went the wrong way down the A66.Speaking of the latest arrests, Cleveland Police Assistant Chief Constable Wayne Fox said: 'This latest disruptive activity now brings the total number of arrests to 24 since the investigation commenced.'Several suspects arrested throughout the course of this week have been charged with serious offences and a number of offenders have been recalled to prison.'This robust approach demonstrates our commitment and determination to pursue those who we believe are intent on causing serious violence and harm to our communities.'Be assured, our relentless pursuit of suspected organised criminals will not waver.'I want to encourage anyone who believes serious violence and organised crime is taking place in their neighbourhood to report it so we can keep on taking action.' Meanwhile, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Cleveland said he had met with the policing minister to raise concerns about the 'outdated and ineffective' funding model which 'disadvantages' the force. In a statement, Matt Storey said: 'I have always been very vocal that Cleveland Police does a brilliant job of handling the level of demand it faces with the resources at its disposal. Sadly, the frequency and severity of recent incidents has now brought Cleveland to national attention.'Today, I met with the policing minister to once again raise my serious concerns about the outdated and ineffective funding system that disadvantages this force. 'I have reiterated my request for a better long-term funding deal to enhance Cleveland's response to serious and organised crime.'People in Cleveland have the right to live without the fear of crime and I understand the concern, anger and grief recent events have caused. 'I want to assure them that I will continue to fight for the funding needed to improve Cleveland Police's ability to prevent crime, bring offenders to justice and keep our communities safe.'