Two men have been arrested after an axe and a bottle of ammonia were found in a car.
Police swooped after CCTV operators spotted a car driving along Shields Road, in Byker , Newcastle, at around 8.50pm last night, and became suspicious.
The vehicle had four men inside who got in and out and entered a number of business premises in the area, while carrying an 'unknown object', say police.
Camera operators contacted police and it was established that the vehicle involved was believed to have been stolen from the Sunderland area.
Officers were deployed to the scene and the occupants of the vehicle were stopped and searched. Police later recovered a hand-axe and a bottle of ammonia.
Two men, aged 37 and 32, have been arrested and remain in police custody.
Det Chief Insp Paul Knox, of Northumbria Police has praised the camera operators. He said: "This has been a fantastic piece of work that really demonstrates the team work that goes on behind closed doors.
"The CCTV operators are a valuable asset and regularly provide us with intelligence that can help us to identify suspected criminal activity.
"They are vital to keeping the streets of Newcastle safe and this particular incident demonstrates how closely they work with response officers.
"Thanks to their hard work we have been able to seize a suspected stolen vehicle, arrest two men suspected of criminal activity and seize weapons that may have put the public in harm's way.
"A full investigation into the suspicious behaviour is ongoing but I have no doubt that the camera operators will continue to work hard to keep our local communities safe."
Anyone who has information is asked to call Northumbria Police on 101 quoting log 1083 01/05/19 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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