Organised criminals arrested after police chase

Northumbria Police received a report from West Mercia Police just after 3pm on Tuesday regarding a vehicle linked to criminality which had been travelling through Tyneside.

It was reported that the Ford Transit van had been used by organised criminals in thefts and burglaries in rural communities across the country.

Specialist Motor Patrols officers from Northumbria were deployed to the A19 to try and track the vehicle down as it headed southbound through the Tyne Tunnel.

They continued to pursue the vehicle through County Durham, and into North Yorkshire, before they eventually brought it to a stop.

Two occupants of the vehicle were arrested by police and two quad bikes, with their identification details altered or removed, were seized.

Chief Inspector Sam Rennison, of Northumbria Police said: "This was a fantastic piece of teamwork that involved a number of different police forces and a pursuit that scaled more than a hundred miles. Nobody was injured, two men were arrested and two suspected stolen quads have been seized.

"We hope this activity reassures our rural communities that we are committed to protecting our countryside and those residents who call it home. Our officers will work closely with neighbouring forces to identify organised criminals, arrest them and put them before the courts.”

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness, added: “Not only did they target rural communities and steal from them, but these individuals went to dangerous lengths to avoid arrest.

“Well they didn’t get away with it and that is thanks to some great policing from teams across our force and others coming together to catch them.

“Theft is more than just the attack, it can often be devastating for businesses and families and so I hope the response here shows how seriously Northumbria Police is committed to fighting this type of crime.”

Two men, aged 27 and 24, remain in police custody.