Three men have been arrested after police caught them lifting manhole covers in High Wycombe during the early hours of the morning.

On Monday, May 4, officers from  the town’s Incident and Crime Response Team in Thames Valley Police were called after a member of the public reported three males ‘behaving suspiciously in the area’.

(Image: Manhole covers were being lifted in the town)

When the authorities arrived, they found the trio at the scene with tools and manhole covers already removed.

It has been alleged that the men in question gave officers an unclear and inconsistent explanation for their actions, claiming they were carrying out legitimate work.

However, checks on police systems revealed that all three were wanted, with two linked to previous offences involving the cutting and theft of electrical cables.

An assortment of tools designed for cutting cables was recovered, leading officers to arrest the men on suspicion of going equipped to steal, as well as for their outstanding matters.

Police confirmed no damage was caused and nothing was stolen.

The three men were arrested in the early hours of Monday, May 4 (Image: TVP)

The force said: “This excellent result came down to a sharp‑eyed member of the public trusting their instincts and reporting something that just didn’t look right.

“If you see something suspicious, please don’t hesitate to report it.

“Officers would always rather attend and find nothing, than not attend and miss something serious.”

All three men have been taken into custody and an investigation is ongoing.