FIVE men were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit burglary this morning after dawn raids targeting organised crime.

More than 100 officers from Durham and Northumbria set out just before 7am from Bishop Auckland in a joint offensive and have hailed the operation a success.

They executed search warrants at eight addresses in Bishop Auckland and Darlington, based on information from CID and the regional intelligence unit.

Those in custody are suspected to have burgled Bedlington's Spar, in Northumbria, on June 15, when more than £24,000 of cash and cigarettes were taken.

Three men from Bishop Auckland, aged 27, 28 and 31 from River Walk, Tindale Crescent and Aclet Close are being questioned. A 32-year-old from Kempton Court, Darlington, and a 29-year-old from Saxon Green, Escomb, were also arrested - all on conspiracy to commit burglary throughout the region.

The 29-year-old is also being questioned on suspicion of theft of a tractor from Prudhoe, Northumberland, in July.

Police also raided three houses on Park Road in Witton Park, near Bishop Auckland, and inquiries are ongoing as to the whereabouts of other suspects.

Durham Deputy Chief Constable Mike Barton said the raids are part of a tougher police stance on organised crime.

"The gloves are off when it comes to organised crime, both in Northumbria, Durham and across the North-East," he said.

"Historically organised crime was tackled by sophisticated secret teams at our headquarters but not anymore. Every single officer will be tackling them."

Inspector Martin Peace, of Bishop Auckland police station, praised officers involved in the operation while Detective Inspector Paul Knox, of Northumbria Police, added: "This clearly demonstrates that offences of this nature are taken very seriously."