THREE people were arrested on suspicion of shoplifting following a police hunt on Saturday evening.

Dorset Police began tracking a black Mercedes estate after receiving a call from colleagues in Hampshire.

After a search, two women and one man were arrested in Southbourne Overcliff Drive at around 6.30pm.

The theft is alleged to have taken place at Tesco superstore in New Milton. One person attempted to run away before being handcuffed by officers, a Dorset Police spokesperson said.

She added: “We were called following an incident of alleged shoplifting in Hampshire, and took on the incident from there.”

An eye witness said four police cars attended the incident.