Two North East supermarkets have been damaged in separate suspected ram raids on Christmas Eve - with a burnt-out van abandoned nearby. 

The incidents happened at the Spar supermarket in Brotton and at the Co-op in Loftus on Teesside.

A police cordon has been reportedly placed around the Co-0p, was well as around a burnt out van fo9und near the Spar shop.

A spoksperson for Cleveland Police said: "Police received reports of two ram raids at Co-op in Loftus and Spar in Brotton on Christmas morning, Sunday 25th December, around 7:45am.

"Both incidents involved a white Transit van and the incidents are currently being linked.

"Enquiries are ongoing to identify those involved and anyone with information can contact Redcar and Cleveland CID on 101, or call independent charity Crimestoppers."

 

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