No 10 Urges Social Media Firms to Remove Dangerous Driving Videos

Key Points

• The UK government has urged social media platforms, including TikTok, to remove videos that glorify or celebrate dangerous driving, particularly wrong-way driving.
• Prime Minister Andy Burnham condemned the content as “truly reprehensible” during a visit to Kyiv on Monday, 25 August 2026.
• The call comes after two fatal crashes in the past week, including the A66 collision near Middlesbrough that killed seven people: two police officers and five young men.
• Defence Minister Luke Pollard said the government had contacted social media platforms directly to ask them to remove content celebrating dangerous behaviour on the roads.
• Ofcom backed the move and warned it would take action if platforms failed to meet their legal duties under the Online Safety Act.
• TikTok said its policies ban harmful content and that it is actively removing videos that breach its rules, but declined to comment directly to ITV News.
• Cleveland Police said there is currently no evidence that the A66 crash was filmed for TikTok, although concerns remain about the wider trend.
• Conservative MP Tom Tugendhat called for TikTok to be banned, while Reform UK’s Lee Anderson called for tougher fines under a stronger Online Safety Act.
• More than £400,000 has been raised for the families of the two police officers killed in the A66 crash.
• One of the crash victims, Makai Saddington, had previous convictions for assaulting police officers and was linked to TikTok videos showing reckless driving.

Teeside (Britain Today News) August 24, 2026 – The UK government has escalated pressure on social media companies to delete content that glorifies dangerous driving, following a string of fatal road crashes linked to online trends. After seven people dying in a wrong-way collision on the A66 near Middlesbrough over the weekend.

What Has the Government Said About Dangerous Driving Videos?

A Downing Street spokeswoman stated:

“The glorification of dangerous driving for clips and entertainment is utterly disgraceful and that is why we have raised the issue of this appalling content with social media companies since the tragedy, and the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (Lisa Nandy) is clear that it should be removed in line with their legal obligations.”

Prime Minister Andy Burnham, speaking during a visit to Kyiv, added:

“Anybody who glorifies dangerous driving is doing something truly reprehensible.”

Why Are Ministers Targeting TikTok and Other Platforms?

Defence Minister Luke Pollard told BBC Radio 5 Live that the government has directly communicated with platforms hosting such content.

“We’ve communicated to those social media platforms that have been hosting content that celebrates this type of dangerous behaviour on our roads to take down that content.”

He said.

Pollard warned that if platforms fail to act, the government will use powers under the Online Safety Act to compel removal.

“Well, this is the perfect opportunity to demonstrate it. Remove the content that celebrates dangerous behaviour on our roads,”

He added.

What Is Ofcom’s Position on Platform Responsibility?

Ofcom, the UK’s online safety regulator, has thrown its full support behind the government’s stance. In a statement, Ofcom said:

“Under the Online Safety Act, platforms must minimise children’s exposure to violent material and content promoting dangerous challenges.”

The regulator also noted:

“In July, we launched an investigation into TikTok’s compliance with its child safety duties, and we’ve shown we’ll take action if evidence suggests companies are falling short.”

How Has TikTok Responded to the Government’s Demand?

TikTok declined to provide a direct statement to ITV News but reiterated its existing policies. The platform said its rules

“strictly prohibit content that could cause significant physical harm, including dangerous driving.”

and confirmed it is

“actively removing any videos and accounts that break its rules.”

What Do Police Say About the A66 Crash and TikTok?

Cleveland Police stated on Monday, clarifying the current investigative position.

“At the current time, there is no evidence to indicate that filming of the activities that took place on Friday night and Saturday morning has taken place for TikTok.”

The force said.

However, ministers have since raised concerns with TikTok and other platforms about videos that appear to celebrate or promote wrong-way driving, regardless of direct links to the A66 incident.

Who Were the Victims of the A66 Crash?

The collision on Saturday claimed the lives of Pc Tom Clough, 38, and Pc Matthew Blades, 37, both of Cleveland Police’s Roads Policing Unit. They were killed when a Volkswagen Passat, which had been pursued by officers, drove the wrong way on the A66 dual carriageway and struck their marked armed response vehicle seconds after the chase was terminated.

Five young men also died in the crash: Cole Robert Worthy and Theo Rae, both 17; Makai Saddington, 18; and Michael Robert Cahill and Jacob Matusiak, both 23.

What Is Known About Makai Saddington’s Criminal Record?

Court records reveal that Makai Saddington had recent convictions for assaulting police officers. An HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) spokesperson confirmed that Saddington pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer and indicated a guilty plea to causing racially aggravated alarm or distress to another officer in Middlesbrough on 9 June 2026.

He entered his pleas at Teesside Magistrates’ Court on 17 July and received a 12-month conditional discharge. Additionally, on 1 April 2026, Saddington appeared before the same court, where he admitted three counts of assaulting Pc John Walker in Middlesbrough on 11 October 2025. He was ordered to pay £240 in court costs and complete rehabilitation requirements.

How Have Political Figures Reacted to the Crisis?

Conservative MP Tom Tugendhat called for a complete ban on TikTok, describing the platform as

“designed to spread division and to put the UK at risk”.

He said:

“It is quite clear that TikTok is using, sadly, the deaths of two individuals who absolutely heroically gave their lives for our country to sell clickbait and advertising to make money. That is completely unacceptable.”

Lee Anderson, chairman of Reform UK, advocated for a more robust version of the Online Safety Act, arguing that social media companies should face “huge” fines if they fail to remove dangerous content.
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What Tributes Have Been Paid to the Fallen Officers?

Flowers and cards have been left at the entrance to Cleveland Police’s Roads Policing Unit at Wynyard Park. One message in a framed force badge read:

“Tommy, Bladesy, you will be remembered as two of the very best. I’m proud of you both, and you’ll be forever missed. I don’t have the words to describe the loss we all feel. Genuine real-life heroes.”

Another tribute stated:

“To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die.”

How Much Has Been Raised for the Officers’ Families?

A fundraiser created by the Cleveland Police Federation for the families of Pc Clough and Pc Blades had reached more than £400,000 by Monday lunchtime.

Is There a Wider Pattern of Dangerous Driving Content Online?

Less than a week before the A66 crash, five teenagers died after driving a stolen vehicle the wrong way on the M9 motorway in County Kildare, Ireland, crashing head-on into a family car. Four people were seriously injured, including a child.

The emergence of TikTok videos showing reckless driving, including police chases, has intensified scrutiny of online platforms’ role in amplifying such behaviour.