Six people have been arrested as part of a major investigation into an organised crime gang targeting cash machines at banks and shops across the country. 

Detectives swooped on six addresses around the Midlands, including Bromsgrove, and one in Cumbria with five men and a woman arrested. 

The arrests took place in Bromsgrove, Bloxwich, Bilston, Featherstone and Carlisle. 

Hundreds of thousands of pounds have been stolen in a series of nine attacks on cash machines with the gang striking in Cumbria, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Leighton Buzzard and Towcester near Milton Keynes.

Five stolen high-powered Audis were used in the spree, as well as a flat-bed van, which was used to ram walls and break into the cash machines.

The gang would use angle grinders and 'jaws of life' - cutting equipment used by firefighters to free people trapped in cars after collisions – to break their way into cash machines.

Burglaries at two fire stations where jaws of life were stolen are also being investigated.

The suspects, aged between 38 and 49, remain in custody today (Wednesday, October 16) and are being questioned for offences including suspicion of conspiracy to burgle, conspiracy to rob and conspiracy to handle lifesaving equipment.

A spokesperson for West Midlands Police said: "Six people have been arrested as part of a major investigation into an organised crime gang which has stolen cash machines from banks and shops across the country.

"Our detectives swooped on six addresses around the Midlands and one in Cumbria yesterday and arrested five men and a woman.

"The raids fall under Operation Target, our ongoing efforts to tackle serious and organised crime across the West Midlands. We’re relentless in our pursuit of those involved in drugs, guns, money laundering and exploitation." 

For more information visit www.westmidlands.police.uk/police-forces/west-midlands-police/areas/campaigns/campaigns/operation-target/