POLICE have arrested three suspects in connection with a series of arson attacks which left a trail of destruction at haulage depots across the North-East.

The arrests follow an intensive manhunt under the name Operation Chariot, following attacks which caused damages estimated at £18m.

Police suspect 17 fires going back to May 1998 could be connected.

The men, who have not been named, were questioned and have been released on bail while forensic tests are carried out.

Detective Chief Inspector Frank Gallop, who is leading Operation Chariot, said: "We executed a number of search warrants yesterday and made these arrests.

"We have bailed these men for three months. In the meantime our investigation will not let up."

Last year, a £16,000 reward was offered for information leading to the arrest of the culprits and an appeal was made on BBC's Crimewatch.

The arsonists may have struck first in May 1998 at Geoghegan Ltd, in Benton, North Tyneside, when eight trucks worth £500,000 were destroyed.

Eight of the subsequent fires have been positively linked - the first of which came in June 2001 at a yard in Heaton, Newcastle.

The men operated at night and cut through fencing, smashing cabs with steel ball bearings and pouring accelerant inside the vehicles before setting them alight.