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Police funeral road closures set for September 9

9/9/2026

19 2 Full Breakdown

Summary

Police Honored

Police officers PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough will be honored at a Hartlepool funeral on September 9.
They died on August 22 when a wrong-way Volkswagen Passat struck their response car on the A66 near Middlesbrough.
Lauren Somerville said over £1.2 million has been raised for the officers’ families.
Road closures in Hartlepool will run from 07:30 BST to allow the full police ceremonial funeral.

Summary

Police Coordinate Traffic

Superintendent John Wrintmore said police did not recommend the school closures.
Cleveland Police are coordinating with local highways departments to manage funeral traffic.
Police will deploy visible presence on Ladgate Lane, Ormesby Road, Cargo Fleet Lane and Acklam Road.
Acklam Whin Primary School will close at 1:15 pm after lunchtime provision.
Outwood Academy Acklam will close at 12:15 pm, urging parents to collect children directly.

History

Historical Context

On 6 October 1985 PC Keith Blakelock was killed in the Broadwater Farm riot, the third police death in a British riot since 1833. The incident led the Metropolitan Police to introduce the gold-silver-bronze command system and, in 1988, award the Queen’s Gallantry Medal to the surviving constables. Modern ceremonies, such as Cleveland Police’s Hartlepool tribute, recall the 230 officers injured that night.

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Police Honored

Police officers PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough will be honored at a Hartlepool funeral on September 9.
They died on August 22 when a wrong-way Volkswagen Passat struck their response car on the A66 near Middlesbrough.
Lauren Somerville said over £1.2 million has been raised for the officers’ families.
Road closures in Hartlepool will run from 07:30 BST to allow the full police ceremonial funeral.

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