Officers investigating a series of car thefts across Cheshire, including Congleton, have arrested two men following dawn raids.

Warrants were executed simultaneously at three addresses in Greater Manchester at around 6am on Thursday 8 October.

Two men – aged 42 and 37 – have subsequently been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit theft and conspiracy to commit burglary.

The arrests relate to an investigation into the thefts of 22 cars between August 2019 and September 2020.

The vehicles, worth a total of more than £400,000, were stolen from Sandbach, Macclesfield, Disley, Congleton, Bollington, Knutsford, Northwich and Warrington in Cheshire and from Stockport and Altrincham in Greater Manchester.

The arrested men are currently in custody being questioned by officers.

Detective Sergeant Dave Jarvis, of Macclesfield Beat Initiative Team, said: "The raids – in Stockport, Wythenshawe and Dukinfield – were carried out as part of Cheshire Constabulary's ongoing mission to bring those involved in organised crime to justice.

"They followed extensive enquiries regarding a number of burglary and car theft incidents across Cheshire and Greater Manchester.

"Led by the Macclesfield Beat Initiative Team, the investigation relates to 18 incidents in which a total of 22 cars were stolen.

"We have been gathering evidence and intelligence behind the scenes and the extensive work has now led to two men from Greater Manchester being arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit burglaries and thefts.

"I hope that this operation reassures communities that we are committed to doing all we can to tackle this type of criminality."

The warrants were conducted by detectives from Macclesfield, with support from specialist officers across Cheshire.

Officers have carried out extensive searches of the addresses.

They have seized three cars as well as car parts.

David Keane, police and crime commissioner for Cheshire, said: "Having your home broken into and your car stolen must be a deeply upsetting experience.

"I would like to thank the detectives and officers involved in this operation to protect Cheshire from organised crime, which is a key focus of my Police and Crime Plan.

"As the county's police and crime commissioner I know that Cheshire Constabulary does extensive work to stamp out organised crime, which has no place on our communities."