first bus suspends eight bath services as snow continues to fall

You can unsubscribe at any time.Thank you for subscribingWe have more newslettersShow meSee ourprivacy noticePolice have arrested five men after a mini digger was among a haul of suspected stolen goods to be seized during dawn raids across the North East.Northumbria Police teamed up with colleagues from Durham Constabulary to execute warrants at a series of properties in Northumberland’s Hedley on the Hill, Stocksfield and at an address in South Tyneside.A host of suspected stolen items including a Takeuchi excavator were seized in the dawn raids, along with two Land Rovers officers believe have been used during the commission of the offences.A total of five men have been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to steal. Three of those men have since been charged with the theft of a hydraulic breaker.The four raids were carried out on Wednesday as part of Operation Branta, which was created to tackle serious and organised crime groups who target rural areas.Neighbourhood sergeant Ian Pattison, of Northumbria Police, warned anyone making money from serious and organised crime would be brought to justice.He said: “While the rest of the area looked out their windows to find snow yesterday, the five suspects found a team of officers outside their homes with warrants in hand.”This planned operation was a result of months of intelligence gathering as we work to build a clearer picture into organised criminality across Northumberland and further afield.”Yesterday’s activity shows how police forces across the country are working together to dismantle criminal networks and protect communities whatever the weather.”I hope yesterday’s raids send a clear message to those who seek to take what is not there’s to take and cause misery we will not tolerate it.”The investigation will continue to identify and target anyone involved and we will seek to re unite property with the rightful owners.”Sgt Pattison added: “Community intelligence is vital to our policing approach and we urge anyone with any information that could help us disrupt and dismantle this type of criminality to get in touch with us.”Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness, said: “There has clearly been a lot of hard work that’s gone into this operation and it’s paid off.”Criminals targeting our rural communities need to think again. Officers are taking a really robust approach to fighting crime in our more remote neighbourhoods and will continue to do so.”We will also be working with communities on security measures to help deter these thieves as well as preventative work to tackle the root causes.”Anyone who has information about organised criminality can contact police on 101 or via the Northumbria Police website..