Six people have been detained in Northern Ireland and Lancashire in relation to extortion and intimidation of the elderly.

Three people were arrested on the M1 motorway near Dungannon, County Tyrone and in Lancashire in England and a large sum of cash was recovered.

Officers described the arrests as part of “a proactive police operation into serious organised criminal activity” which targeted older people.

Detectives are appealing for older people in Northern Ireland to come forward if they have been the victims of extortion.

Detective Superintendent Essie Adair, head of the PSNI Extortion Unit, said: “I am appealing to older people who may have been threatened or intimidated into handing over money at their homes by groups of men to come forward.

“But I am also appealing to everyone in the community right across Northern Ireland to think about their elderly relatives or friends and ask themselves if they have noticed any large movements of money recently which cannot be accounted for or any unusual behaviour.

“I would ask the banking community to be vigilant and report anything suspicious to police.”

The three suspects detained in Northern Ireland were questioned at the Organised Crime Branch in Antrim police station, while those arrested in England were taken back to the Province to be questioned.

(JM/KMcA)