TWO young Winchester shoplifters ran into the law. Literally.

The two girls were caught by a patrolling policeman as they fled the Brooks Centre after stealing from TK Maxx.

PC Mark Jeffery took to Facebook to explain how he apprehended the teenagers, caught for the first time. They have not been charged but will have to attend re-education sessions.

He posted: "I'm no detective, but when two young ladies run out of The Brooks rear door into the road pulling full TK Maxx wheelie baskets, you know something's up!

"I was on good old foot patrols on Tuesday afternoon when they literally ran into me. Both detained, all stock recovered. Then both put their furry hoods up and undertook the walk of shame to the manager's office to be dealt with slow time."

PC Jeffery said the police would be stepping up patrols as the city gets busier in the run-up to Christmas. Shoplifters target stores to steal small but high-value items.

Responding to the congratulations from the public on Facebook, the police said: "It was their first offence, so a telling off and an education course at their own time and expense follows on."