Detectives made early-morning raids on suspects

Some of the 18 robberies in question were carried out at gunpoint and took place in Flintshire, Wrexham and Anglesey over the last year.

Other incidents are said to have taken place in Buckley, Holyhead, Bagillt, Saltney Ferry, Cefnybedd and New Brighton near Mold.

Hits across the border numbered Ashton, Bunbury, Overton, Crew and Anderton in Cheshire, Burton on Trent in Staffordshire, Crosby on Merseyside and at Ashby de la Zouch.

The "protracted and painstaking" investigation began with the combined forces of North Wales and Cheshire, which in its later stages had been assisted by officers from the Merseyside force and elsewhere.

A substantial reward was on offer for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the gang.

A sixth man arrested by police on Tuesday was released on police bail.

The five charged with conspiracy to rob and kidnapping are John Barlow, 30, of West Derby, Liverpool; Stephen Barlow, 37, of Walton, Liverpool; Paul Malloy, 35, of Haggerston Road, Liverpool; Allan Motion, 34, of Bootle; and Duane Trussell, of Walton, Liverpool.