Three people have been charged following an investigation in to more than 150 burglaries across Cheshire and Greater Manchester.

The charges follow Operation Edendale which was launched by Cheshire Police following a dramatic increase in burglaries across the county in 2013.

Daryl Kennedy, 50, of HMP Forest Bank, Antony Bell, 56, of Mitchells Quay, Failsworth and Rosemary Pollard, 57, of Elvate Crescent, Cheetham Hill, Manchester, have all been charged with conspiracy to commit burglary between April 1 and December 31, 2013.

They are due to appear at Chester Magistrates Court today (Thursday January 23).

A fourth person, a male, aged 31, from Salford was also arrested as part of the investigation and has been bailed until March 12.

Kennedy and Bell were previously charged with offences in Cheshire and Greater Manchester after being arrested by Greater Manchester Police.

Both were charged with seven burglaries committed on December 31 in south Manchester and Wilmslow. These charges will now be managed by Cheshire Police.

Cheshire West bore the brunt of last year’s crime wave, with 75 break-ins.

The Western Rural area was hit by a total of 29 burglaries, with homes in villages including Mickle Trafford,  Tarvin, Kelsall and Cuddington targeted.

Eighteen houses in Northwich were  raided by thieves, as well as four homes in Winsford.

The spate of break-ins, in which items such as jewellery and cash were stolen, began in the west, but started to spread to the north and east.