Police said some people had sustained "serious, but non-life threatening injuries" but there was "no risk to the wider public at this time".

The arrests came after dawn raids were carried out by Northumbria Police at multiple addresses in South Shields.

The force said it followed an allegation of people being held against their will and seriously assaulted at an address on 20 September.

Northumbria Police's Major Investigation Team said anyone with "concerns or information" should contact them.

Detective Inspector Mark Atherton said: "Following a concerning report made to us about a number of people being held against their will at an address in the area, an investigation was launched with a number of specialist detectives tasked with establishing exactly what happened.

"A number of people sustained serious, but non-life threatening injuries and have now been safeguarded.

"We have since identified a number of people we believe to have been involved and yesterday, carried out targeted action to arrest those people and bring them into custody.

"Seven people have since been charged with a number of offences and are due to face the courts today.

"Our investigation remains ongoing and is still at an early stage, but we do believe there is no risk to the wider public at this time.

"Officers will remain in the area and anyone who thinks they might be able to help or have information they want to share, should get in touch."

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Police said six men and one woman have been charged with a number of offences and are due to appear before magistrates in South Tyneside on Wednesday.

One man remains in police custody. Another man and a woman have been released on bail.

Anyone with information should contact Northumbria Police by calling 101 or using the 'tell us something' page on its website, quoting log NP-20230921-0543.

Independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.