A FLAG is flying at half-mast at Cumbria Police headquarters in Penrith in tribute to two officers killed in a crash.
Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner David Allen paid tribute to PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough, who died when their vehicle was hit head-on by a Volkswagen Passat on the A66 near Middlesbrough in the early hours of August 22.
The Passat was travelling the wrong way along the dual carriageway and is believed to have been linked to organised crime.
Five young men travelling in the vehicle also died at the scene.
David Allen said: "The Union Flag at Cumbria Police HQ is rightly flying at half-mast to recognise the wider police service's tragic loss and to recognise the loss of two serving officers from Cleveland Constabulary.
"It is always a sad and terrible day when the wider police family loses one, or as in this case, two of its members.
"The tributes that I have seen for the officers instil just how dedicated, professional, passionate and kind they were – both at home and at work."
PC Clough, 38, previously served with the Civil Nuclear Constabulary at the Sellafield Operational Policing Unit in west Cumbria between 2013 and 2018.
Mr Allen also extended his sympathies to those who knew him in Cumbria.
He said: “I also want to offer my sympathies to the ex-colleagues of PC Clough, who previously worked at Sellafield in West Cumbria as a Civil Nuclear Constabulary Officer.”
“The tragic death of any officer affects Constabularies nationwide, but that impact is greater when it is one of your own.
"It is also a sad and stark reminder that police officers put their lives on the line every day to protect the public.
"It is a selfless job that is driven by officers and staff who want to protect their communities and keep the public safe, and I want to say ‘thank you’ to all officers and staff across Cumbria and the UK who keep our nation safe."
The ongoing investigation into the crash has led to five more arrests, bringing the total to 17.
A fundraiser established by the Cleveland Police Federation on Sunday has raised more than £850,000 for the two police officers.
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