Brothers wanted after 拢1m organised crime spree arrests

Image source, Lancashire Police

Image caption, Brian and Ronald Thexton escaped during arrests in Bishop Auckland earlier, police said

Two "dangerous" men are wanted by police over thefts and burglaries across northern England after six others, believed to be members of an organised crime gang, were arrested.

Brothers Brian and Ronald Thexton, 43 and 35, fled in a silver Mercedes during raids in Bishop Auckland.

Police believe the gang has stolen more than 拢1m by taking cash machines and a high value industrial vehicle.

The pair should not be approached, Lancashire Police warned.

A force spokesman said they were last seen in Edmundbyers in County Durham at about 10:30 BST and were in a silver Mercedes with the registration plate, CK60 WJM.

Five men in Bishop Auckland and a woman in Morecambe were arrested earlier on suspicion of conspiracy to commit theft.

They remain in custody for questioning.

A Lancashire Police spokesman said the arrests, made in conjunction with the Durham and Cumbria forces, were related to thefts and burglaries over the last year.

The offences also included cash-in transit thefts as well as domestic burglaries.

He said officers were searching a number of properties in Durham and Morecambe, but refused to comment on which incidents the arrests were made in relation to.