Police in south Belfast have said they have thwarted what is believed to be an organised shoplifting gang operating in the city this week.

Three people were arrested and have been remanded in custody after attempting to steal from a city centre store.

A police spokesperson said: “Further enquiries disclosed that there was an organised travelling group of pickpockets, who were being monitored by CCTV operators, attempting to carry out a series of thefts.

“Police are confident that this initiative has resulted in the prevention of hundreds of thefts in Belfast and throughout Northern Ireland.”

Detectives in south Belfast are appealing for information following a burglary at Symons Street at around 3.30pm on Monday, January 5.

“A man posing as a ‘water service’ worker entered the home of a woman aged in her 70s and a man aged in his 80s,” said a police spokesperson.

“It was discovered after the man had left that a sum of cash had been stolen.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on on 0800 555 111.