Residents in a County Durham village were woken in the middle of the night to find police with guns, dogs and helicopter searchlights staging a major operation.

Armed police were spotted in Trimdon Station in County Durham late on Sunday (January 22) night after residents reported hearing a loud bang.

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Eyewitnesses told The Northern Echo they saw people running from a car parked in the car park between Rodwell Street and Windsor Gardens, before police arrived a short time later.

The Northern Echo: There was a heavy police presence in Trimdon Station, County DurhamThere was a heavy police presence in Trimdon Station, County Durham (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

Pictures from the scene show armed officers and police dogs with multiple vehicles at the scene.

Officers reportedly searched gardens and knocked doors in the area asking residents if they had seen anything.

The police helicopter was also launched with searchlights sweeping the area.

The Northern Echo: Armed police were seen at the scene,Armed police were seen at the scene, (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

Police have now confirmed that the major operation followed a sighting of a vehicle believed to be linked to burglary offences across the North East.

Three men, two in their 20s and one in his 30s were all arrested and remain in police custody. 

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The first man in his 20s was arreested on suspicion of robbery and the second was arrested on suspicion of robbery and burglary. The man in his 30s was arrested on suspicion of burglary.

The Northern Echo: Police dogs were also seen at the scene.Police dogs were also seen at the scene. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

One resident said: “We were awoken at about 11:45pm when we heard a loud bang outside. After going to have a look out the back window, there was a car stopped in the middle of the rear car park with the driver door left open, and we could see people running in each direction with some climbing fences.”

A Durham Police spokesperson said: "Last night (Sunday, January 22) officers responded to a sighting of a vehicle believed to be linked to burglary offences in the Durham, Northumbria and Cleveland police areas."

Inquiries are currently ongoing. 

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