SIX ​men arrested as part of a joint investigation by Merseyside and Cheshire police into bank robberies have been charged.

Officers carried out a series of raids in Liverpool on Thursday to target those suspected of being involved with 22 robberies over a seven year period.

Police executed search warrants at properties in Dingle, Toxteth, Aigburth and Garston simultaneously at 7am.

Thousands of pounds in cash, a Subaru Impreza and a CS gas canister have also been seized during searches of properties.

The arrests are the culmination of a year-long joint investigation by detectives from Merseyside and Cheshire following 22 robberies against banks and building societies dating back to 2008 in which a total of £1.5m was stolen.

This includes a raid on the Natwest bank in Stockton Heath on June 11, 2012.

Thousands of pounds of cash were stolen when two masked men forced their way into the bank at 5pm – threatening staff with a sledgehammer.

There were no customers in the building as staff were locking up the bank at the time of the break-in.

DS Rob Grantham, who led the investigation team for Cheshire Constabulary, said: “This is a great example of collaboration targeting serious cross border crime.

"The strike phase today is the result of a 12 month joint operation between Cheshire Constabulary and Merseyside Police focusing on a number of individuals suspected of being involved in robbery. Around 20 officers from Cheshire accompanied colleagues from Merseyside on the early morning raids and they are now assisting in the search and interview phases.

"We hope that the action taken today sends out a strong message that robbery is a crime that we take extremely seriously - we devote all the resources we can to tackling the issue. It is also not a victimless crime and the impact can be devastating and far reaching.”

The six suspects appeared at South Sefton Magistrates Court on Saturday.

They are expected to appear at Liverpool Crown Court later this year.