POLICE swooped after three suspicious characters were spotted in a Pickering store.

The men, who are all in their mid-20s and from Humberside, were spotted in Jacksons, in Yorkersgate in Malton, at around 3.40pm on Monday.

Sgt. Stuart Grainger, from Malton Police, said the three men had been reported because they were seen leaving the store with "bulging pockets".

He added: "Around half an hour later we received a report that three men of similar descriptions were in Boots, in Pickering, acting suspiciously."

Police later arrested three men in a red Hyundai Pony vehicle parked in the town's Ropery car park.

The three, arrested on suspicion of shoplifting, were later bailed to return to Malton Police Station next month.

Updated: 13:31 Wednesday, November 28, 2001