Police in Middlesbrough had five pleas for help ignored by government
Matt Storey, Cleveland's police and crime commissioner, had written at least seven letters to the government since July 2024 warning that officers were 'woefully underfunded'.
TL;DR
- Cleveland police sent at least seven letters to the government since July 2024, warning of being 'woefully underfunded'.
- Only two of these letters received a response from the government.
- A fatal crash on the A66, involving two police officers and five youths, ignited chaos and subsequent gang violence.
- Four of the five youths involved in the crash had previous criminal convictions.
- Middlesbrough has the highest crime rate in England, excluding central London.
- Two unrelated deaths in a house fire and a machete attack further highlighted the violence.
- The Home Office stated the government is grateful for the police response and highlighted planned funding increases.
- Police and Crime Commissioner Matt Storey has repeatedly raised concerns about the funding system and requested a better long-term deal.