Alleged shoplifters were stopped in their tracks as police caught them red-handed on the M4 in Wiltshire.

Road policing officers were out supporting their colleagues in the community after items including expensive handbags, aftershaves and food were stolen from shops across Swindon.

Designer items made by Ted Baker were also stolen during the incident.

Cops located the van on Thursday and successfully stopped the vehicle.

Once the van was searched the suspects were arrested and taken into custody.

The vehicle was also seized for being in a dangerous condition as the tyres were bald.

Writing on social media, WiltsSpecOps said: “Aladdin’s cave came in the shape of a knackered old transit van today for #RPU as we supported the Community Policing Teams responding to large-scale shoplifting. Van located, occupants arrested, property recovered and van prohibited due to bald tyres!”

Offenders who are caught shoplifting can face a maximum sentence of seven years in prison if the value of the theft was over £200.

People can also face a jail sentence of up to six months if the value of the theft was less than £200.