Five held over break-in at Liam Fox's flat

Five suspects have been arrested over a burglary at the home of Defence Secretary Liam Fox, Scotland Yard said tonight.

The Tory frontbencher's Skoda car and laptop computer were stolen when thieves sneaked into his central London flat.

Dr Fox, 49, dialled 999 when he discovered the break-in after getting out of the shower on April 22.

Police suspected the burglars got in through an open patio door leading from a rear balcony. Several knives were left on a kitchen worktop to cover their escape.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said detectives from Southwark burglary squad have arrested and bailed five people.

They were three boys - one aged 17 and two aged 14 - and two men, aged 19 and 22. All have been released on bail until next month.

Speaking outside his home near Tower Bridge on the day of the raid, the North Somerset MP said the burglary was probably an "opportunistic" crime.