A MAN and three women have been arrested in the past week after DVDs and food were stolen.

Officers on patrols in Basildon and Wickford have arrested a number of people this week for theft from shops.

Three women stole £156 worth of food from the Co-Op in Nevendon Road, Wickford, on Monday.

A staff member attempted to stop them but they left in a Vauxhall Astra.

Police were called and spotted the car on the A127.

The women were arrested on suspicion of theft and the matter was resolved by way of community resolution.

A 28-year-old man from Basildon was arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of theft after DVDs were stolen from HMV in the Eastgate shopping centre last month.

He was released under investigation.

Inspector Steve Parry said: "The Basildon Community Policing team - whilst providing reassurance to the public in these challenging times - continues to be catching criminals and out on patrol in our communities."