THREE youths and a man have been arrested after a chase in the North-East involving a police helicopter, dog handlers, the fire-brigade and a ladder.

The chase started at 2.45am yesterday, when police were called to William Street, in Chester-le-Street, County Durham, where a member of the public reported a gang trying to steal a motorbike.

When four people were seen running to a wooded area not far from the town's market place, the North East Air Support Unit helicopter was scrambled to help with the search.

Using the helicopter's thermal imaging equipment, they helped officers on the ground track down four young men.

Three of them were arrested but the fourth climbed on to the roof of a nearby building and refused to come down. He stayed there until 4.45am, when the fire-brigade arrived with a turntable ladder.

Air support unit manager Nigel Dunnill said: "Officers had concerns for the safety of the young man on the roof and the helicopter remained on the scene to provide light over the area.

"It is unusual for us to be involved in an operation over such a long period of time, but the situation was resolved successfully without anyone getting hurt and that is what we are there for."

Two Kawasaki motorcycles, believed to have been stolen, were recovered from near William Street and police are now trying to find out who the vehicles belong to.

The four arrested on suspicion of the theft of a motorcycle are a 16-year-old, two 17-year-olds and a 24-year-old, all from Newcastle. They were taken to Durham City police station, where they were questioned then later bailed pending further inquiries.