By GB News (World News) | Created at 2026-09-10 15:25:36 | Updated at 2026-09-10 16:16:21
1 hour ago
Hundreds of mourners gathered to pay their respects to PC Tom Clough after the police officer was tragically killed in the line of duty near Middlesbrough last month.
The 38-year-old Cleveland Police officer's funeral was held in the North East at Kirkleatham Walled Gardens in Redcar this afternoon, with police officers and the British Army veterans turning out to pay their final respects.
PC Clough was tragically killed along with his fellow officer Matt Blades when five young men, who also died, drove into them while driving the wrong way down the A66 in the early hours of August 22.
Before joining the force, PC Clough served in the British Army from 2006 to 2012 and was a lance corporal with the Royal Logistic Corps.
His last unit was 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Search Regiment.
In honour of the British Army veteran, who toured both Iraq and Afghanistan, the funeral cortege of PC Clough was flanked by soldiers in ceremonial dress and veterans displaying their medals.
Standard bearers from every police force in the country lowered their flags as the hearse passed by, and PC Tom Clough's coffin was draped in the Union flag and had a police helmet on top.
Four mounted police officers led the cortege, with police motorbike riders and a police-marked Audi with blue lights flashing behind.
Hundreds of police officers gathered in Redcar
PA
The slow procession started in silence until a piper began to play a lament.
Following his tragic death, the family of PC Tom Clough paid tribute to him and said: "He was our hero with a fantastic sense of humour.
"Jumped into action whenever needed, and willing to help anyone for any reason. Proudly fought for his country to make the world a better place.
"Always on public duty throughout his short life. We, as a family and Tom's partner, would like to express our sincere gratitude for the overwhelming support and condolences from friends, colleagues and the wider community.
PC Clough was also a former CNC officer, having joined the Civil Nuclear Constabulary in 2013.
He served until April 2018 as an Authorised Firearms Officer based at the Sellafield Operational Policing Unit.
During his service with the CNC, he spent time as a Temporary Sergeant, and trained as a Dynamic Search officer, a member of the Interdiction Team, a Police Medic and an Operational Firearms Commander.
He was described as a "hugely popular and respected" colleague by those who worked with him at the Sellafield nuclear site.
Chief Superintendent Richard Clark, who was Tom’s commanding officer at Sellafield OPU, paid tribute to him and said: "Tom was the epitome of professionalism, bringing dedication, skill and commitment to every task.
“Yet what made Tom truly special was his personality. Alongside his professional excellence, he possessed a fun-loving, cheeky nature and a wit that could lift spirits even during the most demanding shifts.
"He had an extraordinary ability to light up any room he entered and to bring people together through his warmth, humour and authenticity.
"While his life was far too short, it was undoubtedly one that was lived to the full. Tom will be remembered with immense affection, gratitude and respect, and he will be hugely missed by all who had the privilege of serving alongside him."
Before joining Cleveland Police in 2022 as an armed response officer, PC Clough spent three and a half years as an officer at British Transport Police, who described him as "a brilliant police officer who was committed to helping others".
Chief Constable Lucy D’Orsi said: "This is unimaginably devastating news and I speak on behalf of everyone at British Transport Police when I offer our sincerest condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of PC Clough and PC Blades.
"The loss of two police officers in the line of duty is an unspeakable tragedy which affects our entire policing family, and we are all grieving their loss alongside our colleagues at Cleveland Police.
"Tom was a hugely respected former British Transport Police officer who dedicated over three years to our force. He is remembered as a brilliant police officer who was committed to helping others, and for the kindness and humour he brought to those around him at work.
"While Tom went on to continue his service with Cleveland Police, he will always be a part of the BTP family. Our thoughts are with everyone who knew him and PC Blades as they come to terms with this tragic loss."
A fundraiser was established by the Cleveland Police Federation in memory of PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough, which has reached over £1.2million, with 44,000 people contributing to the fund.
The money will be split between the families of both officers.
Cleveland Police Federation chairwoman Lauren Somerville paid tribute to PC Clough and said: “The family want everyone to know that the public’s support has brought them so much comfort.
“Tom was deeply loved by his colleagues. People have been contacting me that worked with Tom years and years ago.
"It would be an understatement to say that every single place that he served was privileged to have him with them.”
Ms Somerville said he was a much-loved partner, son and brother, and the “father” of his beloved sausage dog Frank.
She added: “Tom used to say there wouldn’t be anyone at his funeral and he couldn’t have been more wrong.
"Tom was described as giving everything to everybody.”
The service came a day after the funeral of PC Blades in his home town of Hartlepool.
Some of the police officers at both funerals wore identity patches “PC 2443 BLADES” and “PC 3234 CLOUGH” on their uniforms.
The family of PC Blades, a 37-year-old father of two, said he was a "beloved husband" and the "most devoted father".
He worked as an English teacher at Darlington's Carmel College before leaving to join Cleveland Police and recently joined Seaton Carew FC to coach his son's U7 team.
He was also a much-loved coach at FC Hartlepool, and in a lasting tribute to him the club changed one of the team's names to FC Blades.
Above all, he was a cherished husband and father.
Paying tribute to PC Blades, his wife said: "He may have left this world committed to the duty he believed in, but his greatest legacy will always be the love he gave to his family," adding he would be "forever our super hero".
Cleveland Police Chief Constable Victoria Fuller has previously said PC Blades and PC Clough were “brave, committed, professional people who put the public before themselves”.
A Volkswagen Passat crashed into the marked police armed response vehicle that the two officers were travelling in at 3.39am on August 22.
The Passat had been fleeing from police and was travelling the wrong way on the A66 in South Bank when the collision occurred.
The five occupants of the Passat also died at the scene. They were Cole Worthy, 17, Theo Rae, 17, Makai Saddington, 18, and 23-year-olds Michael Robert Cahill and Jacob Matusiak.
Cleveland Police confirmed its officers had been investigating suspected organised crime.
Officers had been pursuing the car for almost seven minutes after it was connected to earlier alleged criminal activity.
However, the pursuit was abandoned 10 seconds before the crash when the Passat turned on to the dual carriageway, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said.
PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough were in a vehicle looking for the Passat after its cloned registration plates triggered an automated number plate recognition camera, although they were not involved in the pursuit.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced last week that Cleveland Police would be given an extra £2million to deal with the fallout from the crash, with 200 officers drafted in from elsewhere.
The force is grappling with the highest recorded crime rate of anywhere in England and Wales, figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) have confirmed.
It also ranks highest for burglary, sexual offences, violence with injury, and criminal damage and arson.
