I’d Rather Di@e Than Call the Police: Fear and Distrust Grip Middlesbrough After De@adly A66 Crash That Ki@lled Seven — Including Two Officers
Fear has settled over parts of Middlesbrough in the weeks following a catastrophic collision on the A66 that claimed seven lives. Residents speak of a deep erosion of trust, with some openly stating they would rather risk serious harm than contact the police. The tension, still simmering, has left many local people increasingly reluctant to speak out, raising fresh questions about community safety and confidence in authorities.
The tragedy unfolded in the early hours of 22 August when a Volkswagen Passat travelled the wrong way along the dual carriageway near South Bank and struck a marked police armed-response vehicle head-on. All five occupants of the Passat — Jakub Matusiak, 23; Michael Cahill, 23; Makai Saddington, 18; and 17-year-olds Theo Rae and Cole Worthy — died at the scene, along with the two officers in the police car, PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38. The Passat had been linked to earlier reports of dangerous driving and suspected criminal activity. A police pursuit lasting nearly seven minutes was abandoned roughly ten seconds before the fatal impact when the car entered the dual carriageway against the flow of traffic. The officers who died were not part of that pursuit but were in the area assisting the search.
Four of the five young men in the Passat had previous convictions, including for assaulting police officers and other offences. Multiple arrests followed in connection with organised crime, firearms and related matters, reflecting wider concerns about violence and disorder in parts of the town.
In the aftermath, a striking atmosphere of fear and distrust has taken hold. Young people in particular have voiced profound reluctance to engage with police. One local teenager summed up a sentiment heard repeatedly: he would not call officers even if confronted by someone with a knife, declaring he would rather die than ring the police. Residents describe a climate in which speaking out feels risky, and some prefer to accept personal danger rather than involve the authorities. This silence itself has become a source of new anxiety about everyday safety and the ability of the community to address problems openly.
The sense of unease intensified when several schools in the South Bank area closed early on the day of Jakub Matusiak’s funeral. Headteachers cited expected large crowds, traffic disruption and concerns for the safety and wellbeing of pupils, staff and families. Crowds did gather, though the feared presence of large numbers of motorbikes and quad bikes did not fully materialise. The decision to close schools drew public criticism, with some questioning why educational time was sacrificed for the funeral of those involved in the crash that also killed two serving officers.
The combination of the original tragedy, the subsequent atmosphere of intimidation and distrust, and the practical disruption of school closures has left many residents feeling the community’s social fabric is under strain. While investigations into the collision and related criminal activity continue, the deeper challenge remains restoring confidence so that people feel safe enough to report concerns and trust that institutions will protect them. Until that trust begins to recover, the fear that now hangs over parts of Middlesbrough is likely to persist.
