Three people have been arrested after being caught red-handed with a car full of meat shoplifted from Wellington supermarkets over the weekend.

On Sunday, Police were notified of separate incidents having occurred at supermarkets in Island Bay and Crofton Downs, where large quantities of meat had been targeted.

A vehicle of interest was sighted travelling north from the city, and was stopped in Lower Hutt without issue.

Around $1000 of meat was found in the vehicle, and the three occupants – two young people and an 18-year-old man – were arrested.

They have all been charged in relation to shoplifting offences.

Wellington Area Prevention Manager Inspector Jason McCarthy says Police are pleased to be able to hold these offenders to account.

"These were targeted thefts of high-value items, no doubt destined to be on-sold.

"We won't tolerate this type of offending and are working hard to hold those committing retail crime to account."

All three, including an 18-year-old Lower Hutt man, are due to appear in the Wellington Youth Court today (Tuesday 2 September).

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