POLICE forces in the region worked together to catch suspected car thieves.

Officers from North Yorkshire and Cleveland Police joined forces to catch the crooks as they drove through Teesside and North Yorkshire.

The officers had received reports of a suspicious Ford Fiesta and a Mazda 6 travelling through the region from West Yorkshire, on suspected cloned number plates.

Officers used Automatic Number Plate Recognition equipment to find the vehicles.

The Fiesta was successfully brought to a stop near Thirsk and the 23-year old male driver was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to steal a vehicle and driving without insurance.

The Mazda failed to stop when instructed and headed north along the A19.

Officers successfully pursued and stopped the vehicle, however the driver managed to run off.

He was later found by PD Mario from the Cleveland arm of the Integrated Dog Support Unit.

The 17-year-old male driver was arrested on suspicion of numerous driving offences.

The Mazda was found to have been stolen in a Bradford burglary

At the same time as the North Yorkshire arrests were being made, Cleveland Police located and arrested a further two men in Middlesbrough in relation to another suspected stolen vehicle – a BMW taken from Bradford.

All suspects remain in custody as enquiries continue.