FIVE men have been arrested and a dozen scrap metal dealers inspected as part of an ongoing police operation to combat metal thefts across County Durham.

Yesterday's day of action took place across the Durham force area under the banner of Operation Hansell and involved officers from the force's four dedicated metal theft teams.

Road policing crews from the joint Durham and Cleveland specialist operations unit were also involved.

All twelve main dealers in County Durham and Darlington were visited by officers, their records checked and owners reminded of their legal responsibilities.

Those arrested included a 17 and an 18-year-old from Bishop Auckland who were questioned in connection with the theft of gas bottles, a 35-year-old man from Darlington who was traced and interviewed in relation to a theft of a washing machine and a man arrested by the road policing unit for theft of scrap metal in the Fishburn area.

A 32-year-old man was arrested at his home address in Minors Crescent, Darlington, and interviewed in relation to the theft of £6,300 of solid copper conductor boards from a factory in the Darlington area.

The metal has since been recovered.

Supt Bill Dutton, who led the operation, said: "Metal theft is an enormous problem across the north east and we are determined to keep up the pressure on both the thieves, and those who are willing to accept their stolen goods.

“The operation also generated a lot of very useful intelligence, which will help us when plan future actions.”

It is understood the five people arrested have been released on police bail pending further investigations.