Canadian law‑enforcement agencies are monitoring the UK's response to deadly driving videos, as officials there demand social media platforms pull the content. Luke Pollard, a government minister, told social‑media firms to remove the clips immediately after two police officers were killed in a crash.
Luke Pollard urges removal of dangerous content
"This type of dangerous content should have no place on social media because it encourages other people to do the same," he said on BBC Breakfast.
Fatal crash on the A66 near Middlesbrough
Police officers were killed when a Volkswagen Passat, pursued by police, hit their marked armed‑response vehicle seconds after the chase ended.
Pc Matthew Blades, 37, died alongside Pc Tom Clough, 38, when the Passet struck their vehicle on the A66 in South Bank.
Teenagers Cole Robert Worthy, 17, Theo Rae, 17, Makai Saddington, 18, and 23‑year‑olds Michael Robert Cahill and Jacob Matusiak were also pronounced dead at the scene.
The crash follows a similar incident in Ireland where five teenagers died after driving the wrong way on a motorway.
Both crashes have been linked to a wave of clips on social media encouraging dangerous driving, including travelling the wrong way down busy roads.
Cleveland Police launched the chase after receiving intelligence about the Passat, which was believed to be using cloned plates.
Police said the officers were not involved in the original pursuit but had been called to assist with the search.
Family members described the fallen officers as heroes and tributes poured in on social media.
Donations to fundraisers for the families quickly surpassed £200,000, with a second campaign raising more than £26,400.
Friends of the victims shared heartfelt messages, remembering the young men's kindness and community spirit.
The Passat was pursued for just under seven minutes before it entered the A66 against traffic, after which the chase was aborted and the vehicle continued on the wrong side of the carriageway.
The crash occurred around 10 seconds after the pursuit ended, striking the officers' vehicle.
In a statement, the wife of Pc Matthew Blades called him "my beloved husband, best friend and devoted father". He had recently taken up a coaching role with a local football club.
His family described him as a role model, mentor and a beloved son, brother and uncle.
Earlier, the family of Pc Tom Clough expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support and condolences received.