Five people have been arrested by Local Police following a series of alleged shop thefts in Puerto Rico, Anfi del Mar and Arguineguín, three of the best-known tourist areas in southern Gran Canaria.

The investigations relate to three separate incidents during August, with officers preparing police reports following each intervention.

The first occurred on 1st August in Arguineguín after Local Police received a report of an alleged theft from a florist.

Officers went to the area and located a man and woman who were reportedly leaving hurriedly after being surprised by the person responsible for the shop.

Both were identified by officers.

During the police intervention, officers also seized a large knife that the man was carrying. Police said the weapon was confiscated as a preventative measure.

Second incident at Anfi del Mar

A separate investigation followed an incident on 28th August at Anfi del Mar, an area particularly popular with tourists.

Local Police were called to a food shop following the alleged theft of several alcoholic drinks.

Security personnel had detained a man at the premises before officers arrived, and he was subsequently identified by police.

However, the intervention led to another discovery.

Officers recovered documents and other personal belongings belonging to a woman who had previously reported that her handbag had been stolen nearby.

The circumstances surrounding those belongings formed part of the police enquiries.

Third case in Puerto Rico

The final of the three incidents occurred on 31st August in Puerto Rico.

Local Police were alerted to two men suspected of stealing products from shops in a commercial area.

Officers located the pair and found them in possession of a bag containing numerous items reportedly originating from two food shops in the area.

The merchandise was recovered and subsequently returned.

In total, five people are being investigated in connection with the three separate cases.

The incidents are particularly relevant because Arguineguín, Anfi del Mar and Puerto Rico are among the busiest areas of the municipality of Mogán and are heavily frequented by both international tourists and foreign residents.

Puerto Rico in particular is one of Gran Canaria's major holiday resorts, while Anfi del Mar and neighbouring Arguineguín attract large numbers of British and Irish visitors throughout the year.

Police have not indicated that the three cases are connected, and they should therefore be treated as separate investigations rather than the work of one organised group.

No nationalities of those under investigation were included in the information released.