THREE illegal immigrants, members of a gang thought to be responsible for a spate of burglaries across the country, are to be deported after being arrested in the North-East.

The three Romanians, part of a seven-strong gang based in the North-East, were arrested on Friday in connection with a robbery on Tyneside.

Investigations then linked them to burglaries in County Durham and a spate of crimes the length of Britain.

Police gained Home Office approval to begin deporting Alin Cioaca, 25, Crezantina Bustean, 27, and Adaza Mirea, 26.

The men, who were living in the Gateshead and Sunderland areas, were initially questioned over a burglary in the West End of Newcastle.

They were then handed over to Durham Police and questioned by detectives investigating two break-ins at shops in Darlington.

They discovered the gang were being hunted in connection with shoplifting and burglary crimes in Banbury, Coventry, Slough, Chingford, Derby, and in Wiltshire.

Detective Sergeant Alec Francis, of Darlington police, said: "Following two incidents in Darlington, we sent out a message to other forces that a group of individuals were operating a confusion scam and asked for anyone with similar information to contact us.

"Three of the gang were handed to us on Friday. We are obviously pleased to get half of the gang. It now limits their number and therefore the opportunity to commit more crime in Darlington and other parts of the country."

The Darlington detectives called in an interpreter to help with questioning.

The gang was found to be responsible for stealing cash and jewellery from a family-run general dealers in the town's Geneva Road on November 27, after some distracted staff so others could access the living areas.

They were also linked to a burglary in North Road, Darlington, a week earlier.

Two of the men were found to be illegal immigrants and will be deported back to Romania this week after previously having their application for political asylum refused.

The third offender was awaiting a decision on an application for political asylum and is being held by immigration officials until the situation is clarified.

The three refused to name or give details to police about other gang members, who have yet to be caught.