Funeral for PC Matthew Blades killed in Middlesbrough A66 crash takes place
BBC News reports on the funeral of PC Matthew Blades, who was killed in a crash on the A66 in Middlesbrough along with four others, including his colleague PC Tom Clough.
Ceremony and Tributes
A full ceremonial police funeral was held for PC Blades in Hartlepool, attended by hundreds, including officers from Cleveland and other forces nationwide, community leaders, and politicians.
Lauren Somerville, Cleveland Police Federation chair, described the sense of loss as "unbearably quiet" without PC Blades’ "silly jokes" and laughter.
Procession and Music
The funeral procession featured a black hearse led by a single Cleveland Police motorcycle. Officers and bagpipe players were present, playing "Amazing Grace" as PC Blades’ coffin, draped in a union flag, was carried into St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church. Members of the public also lined the streets to pay their respects.
Notable Attendees
Policing minister Sarah Jones and Home Office minister Anna Turley attended, along with Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who paid tribute in the Commons, expressing sympathy and thanking officers for their service.
Public Support
Somerville expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support received from the public, including flowers at police stations and messages from around the world. She noted that even small gestures of acknowledgment had brought comfort to officers.
