A gang of alleged cyber criminals have been arrested in five police raids overnight.

An investigation into cybercrimes led has led to the arrests of five people including one woman from Thamesmead.

The case relates to the alleged hacking of a Tunbridge Wells-based company in April, which resulted in one client paying £25,000 to a third party after receiving a scam email.

Officers believe access was gained to the firm’s database through malware emailed from a Herne Bay internet address that is also believed to have been hacked.

Homes in London, Essex and Dorset were raided this morning and a 32-year-old woman from Thamesmead was arrested on suspicion of an offence under Section 2 of the Computer Misuse Act 1990.

Two teenagers and a woman from Essex were arrested on suspicion of money laundering along with a 19-year-old woman from Dorset.

Detective Inspector Jon Faulkner said: "There has been a noticeable increase in the number of online offences reported to us in the last few years, which has resulted in the creation of the Cybercrime Unit to respond to this growing threat.

"We are committed to identifying and investigating digital offences and will disrupt those responsible by making arrests, seizing equipment and bringing prosecutions, no matter where in the UK they may be."

The raids took place in the morning of Thursday October 12.