Three men aged 33, 35 and 37 years of age, have been arrested on suspicion of a number of offences including theft and burglary.

It follows a call from a member of the public reporting suspicious activity yesterday morning, Wednesday 21st December.

Local Policing Team Inspector Tori Anderson explained: “Early yesterday morning, police received a number of reports about males in a white van, being involved in thefts and an attempted theft from three business premises in the Sydenham and Ormeau Road areas of Belfast, in which gas canisters, boat engines and parts were stolen.

“As officers were making enquiries, we received a call from a member of the public reporting a suspicious van which had been parked up. Officers attended and on examination, seized the vehicle and recovered a number of suspected stolen items.

“As officers continued to carry out further enquiries, just after 5.20pm officers located and stopped a car towing a horsebox in the Bloomfield area of Belfast.

“The three occupants were arrested and they are currently being questioned in Musgrave police station.

“The car and horsebox have also been seized and recovered for examination.

“I would like to thank the member of the public for their vigilance and for contacting police to report the suspicious vehicle.

“I would also encourage anyone who notices anything suspicious in their community, to report it straight away to police on 101, or 999 in an emergency.”