A police helicopter is leading a pursuit of two men following the theft of motorbikes in Gateshead.
Officers were called at around 2.30pm on Wednesday to reports two motorbikes had been stolen from a property on Bridges View in Bensham.
When officers arrived at the scene, two men were reported to have fled with the suspected stolen bikes.
Police launched a manhunt for the suspects and have deployed the police helicopter to provide additional support to officers on the ground.
The police helicopter has been seen hovering over the Bensham area as part of the pursuit of the two men.
A Northumbria Police spokeswoman said: "Police received a report of two motorbikes being stolen from Bridges View in Bensham.
"At around 2.35pm officers arrived at the scene where two men had made off with the suspected stolen bikes.
"Officers are currently carrying out inquiries to locate the two men."
