THREE women have been arrested after baskets full of food were stolen from shops.

Basildon's Community Policing Team responded to reports of thefts in Wickford this afternoon and later pulled over a car.

The stop happened in Nevendon Road, Wickford near the junction with the A127.

Three baskets of food were recovered, and the vehicle in question was seized on suspicion of the driver having no insurance.

Three women have been arrested in connection with the incident on suspicion of theft.

A spokesman for the team said: "We may have temporarily disrupted your journey whilst we made the arrests, a small price to pay, three more criminals off the streets."