Six men arrested in south Liverpool on Thursday morning as part of a joint investigation by Merseyside and Cheshire police into bank robberies have been charged and appeared before magistrates.

The investigation centred on 22 robberies or attempted robberies at banks and post offices in Wirral, Sefton, Liverpool, St Helens, Warrington, Neston and Great Sutton.

A 23rd offence, which happened at a bank in west Hull on Tuesday, November 24, also forms part of the conspiracy to commit robbery charges, which apply to the period from September 2009 to November 2015.

The following people appeared before South Sefton Magistrates Court in Bootle on Saturday:

 • Kieron Anthony Whittle, aged 35, of Little Parkfield Road, Aigburth, L17

• John Paul Stewart, aged 30, Waverley Road, Aigburth, L17

• Ian John Stewart, aged 48, formerly of Stonegate Drive, Toxteth, L8

• Alan Robert Lea, aged 38, of Verney Crescent, Toxteth, L8

• Gary Thomas McNeill, aged 35, formerly of Upper Pitt Street, Liverpool city centre, L1

• Shaun James McDonald, aged 38, of Charleston Road, Toxteth, L8

A 39-year-old man arrested in Aigburth on Thursday on suspicion of possession of a controlled drug has been released on police bail pending further enquiries.