TWO teenagers have been charged with conspiracy to steal motorcycles after being arrested in dawn raids.

On Tuesday morning detectives from our Operation Benelli team executed search warrants at nine addresses in a ‘Day of Action’.

They arrested ten people and seized a haul of suspected stolen motorcycles and parts during raids across Newcastle and Gateshead.

Eight of those arrested have been released under investigation or on bail pending further police enquiries.

But today the Operation Benelli team have revealed two male teenagers have been charged with conspiracy to steal motorcycles, relating to 35 offences over a three month period.

The teenagers, both aged 16, were due to appear before magistrates in North Tyneside on Wednesday.

On Monday, Detective Chief Inspector Paul Knox, who oversees the work of the Operation Benelli team, said the disruption activity sent a strong message to offenders.

He said: “These arrests were the product of a lot of hard work by a team of detectives dedicated to tackling this type of criminality.

“They need to know that if they get involved in motorcycle crime then they should expect a rude awakening – a team of police officers coming through their door.

“Ten people were brought into custody and a haul of suspected stolen goods have been seized that will prove to be vital evidence in our investigation.

“Many of those who have been involved in motorcycle crime are just teenagers but some of them are committing violent robberies.

“This disruption activity should send a strong message to those individuals – we won’t hesitate to bring you into custody and put you before the courts.

“We know who you are and this type of action will continue as long as you continue to commit offences in our region.”

The Operation Benelli team were set up after a spike in offending that saw teams of thieves stealing motorcycles from across the Force area.

Most of the offending was opportunistic with motorcycles being stolen from car parks but there have been some reports of thieves committing violent robberies.

Operation Benelli is made up of a number of experienced and specialist officers based at Etal Lane Police Station.

They review every incident where a motorcycle has been used in the commission of a crime and try to establish any patterns of behaviour.

Victims are also spoken to in a bid to build up an intelligence picture of those involved in the disorder.

If you want to send pictures, video or intelligence to the task-force then you can do so by emailing operationbenelli@northumbria.pnn.police.uk.