Police arrest nine and seize suspected drugs and samurai sword

A FURTHER nine people have been arrested as part of a major crackdown on serious and organised crime in South Tyneside.

- 

The news comes after police received reports of properties and vehicles being damaged over the last two weeks in what are being treated as linked attacks.

As a result, nine males - aged between 15 and 21 - were arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of offences including affray, criminal damage and drug possession.

All arrested individuals currently remain in police custody. Items including suspected cannabis, a machete, and a samurai sword have been seized during property searches. At this stage, it is believed that those involved are known to each other.