A fifth man has been charged with blackmail offences following an ongoing investigation.

Police previously charged four men after they raided an address in Sun Street, Waltham Abbey, and an address in north London on June 6.

Now Siyrar, Yetik, of Hertford Road, Enfield, appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates Court on Saturday (June 13) as part of the investigation.

He was charged with conspiracy to blackmail, assault causing actual bodily harm and false imprisonment.

The four men who were previously charged after the raids include:

• Paulo Frangiamore, 50, of Sun Street, Waltham Abbey, has been charged with blackmail, ABH, possession of Class A drugs, unlawful imprisonment and possession of an imitation firearm.

• Irfan Comooglu, 39, of Sussex Way, Holloway, has been charged with blackmail, ABH and unlawful imprisonment.

• Ozan Avci, 20, of Huntingdon Road, Lower Edmonton, has been charged with conspiracy to blackmail, false imprisonment, and possession of an offensive weapon.

• Mirkan Kahraman, 19, of Hawkesmead Close, Freezy Water, has been charged with conspiracy to blackmail, false imprisonment and ABH.

All five men will appear at Chelmsford Crown Court on July 6.

• A 20-year-old woman from north London was also arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to blackmail and she has since been released on bail until June 28.