Five teenagers were arrested on a North East road on suspicion of firearms offences last weekend.

Three 19-year-olds, one 18-year-old and a 16-year-old were arrested arrested on suspicion of possession of firearms with intent to cause fear of violence after their car was stopped on Durham Road, Stockton on Sunday (May 7).

The males were reportedly stopped by armed police in a red Audi A3 following reports of a group of men in a car with a handgun.

Read more: Stockton armed police incident sees four arrests

Cleveland Police found two BB guns with pellets in the car which were then seized.

A Cleveland Police spokesperson said: "Officers stopped a red Audi A3 in Durham Road in Stockton following reports of a group of males in a car with a handgun.

“The car was searched and two BB guns with pellets were found and seized by police.

“Five males - three 19-year-olds, one 18-year-old and a 16-year-old - were arrested on suspicion of possession of firearms with intent to cause fear of violence. 

Read more: Stockton LIVE: Several police and armed unit spotted on Wrynose Gardens

"All have since been bailed pending further enquiries.”

This comes after the road was shut for a considerable time on Sunday as officers detained the men, before it later reopened.

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An eyewitness to the incident told The Northern Echo: "A car was stopped by armed officers, and all the lads in the car were asked to get out of the car with their arms in the air. 

"Police had guns pointing towards them. 

"All traffic was stopped and more police units arrived. Four males were arrested, and the car was seized."