Seven men and a teenage boy have been arrested on suspicion of conspiring to commit burglary with intent to steal.

Staffordshire Police arrested the eight individuals following simultaneous raids on properties in Staffordshire today (Thursday 8 January).

Those arrested were an 18-year-old man and a 19-year-old man, from the Stoke-on-Trent area, as well as two 20-year-old men, three 18-year-old men and a teenage boy, from the Moorlands area.

The arrests come after officers went to five properties in Biddulph, two in Bucknall and one in Abbey Hulton, this morning.

Staffordshire Police explained that officers forced entry at two properties.

A spokesperson for Staffordshire Police said: "We've been working hard to investigate burglaries and attempted burglaries linked to car thefts in the Moorlands, Newcastle-under-Lyme and Stoke-on-Trent."

The police force explained that they are building intelligence to find those linked to more than 40 incidents, including footage circulating on social media sites.

Detective Sergeant, Andy Durber, from CID, said: "We're working hard every day to investigate reports and build intelligence on the criminal networks behind these crimes.

"Those responsible give no thought to the lasting impact of their actions on their victims, many of whom are left feeling vulnerable after their homes have been violated by intruders.

"We hope that this morning's proactive activity provides some reassurance for our local communities that we are taking robust and positive action."