FOUR people have been named by police after being charged with conspiracy to steal motor vehicles.

It comes following a large and complex investigation by detectives from Cheshire Police, codenamed Operation Jungles, over a spate of keyless car thefts.

On February 20, officers based in Widnes conducted searches at four addresses in the town, as well as in Runcorn and Halewood, with the support of Merseyside Police.

Four people were arrested, and following questioning have all been charged, while extensive searches of addresses were conducted.

The charges relate to an investigation into reports of over 40 keyless cars thefts across Cheshire and Merseyside since October last year.

Through the investigations, six stolen cars have been recovered, as well as stolen car parts.

Michael Farrell, aged 34 and of Lowlands Road in Runcorn; Sean Fagan, aged 30 and of Whitney Road in Liverpool; Joshua Clarke, aged 18 and of Haig Road in Widnes; and Danielle Healey, aged 26 and of Lockett Road in Widnes, were all charged with conspiracy to steal motor vehicles.

Clarke and Farrell have also been charged with arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered in Widnes.

Farrell also faces additional charges of being concerned in the supply of cocaine and cannabis in Widnes.

All four were remanded into custody after being charged to appear before Warrington Magistrates' Court on February 21.

No pleas were entered by any of the defendants, with all four set to next appear before Liverpool Crown Court later this month.