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Police who investigated reports of an “ongoing commercial robbery” in a branch of Boots on an East London high street have made five arrests.

The Metropolitan Police said three men, one aged 37 and two aged 46, and two women, aged 32 and 41, were arrested and “stolen items believed to be valued just under £10,000 were returned to the store”.

The alleged robbery took place on the afternoon of Wednesday, July 22 on Hornchurch High Street. The five were charged with burglary the following day. The suspects had fled by the time police arrived at the scene but their vehicle was intercepted in Southend Road less than half an hour later.

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: “Police were called to reports of an ongoing commercial robbery at Boots on Hornchurch High Street. Officers attended within minutes and managed the scene. The suspects had already left the location and got away in a vehicle. Police conducted an area search, identifying and intercepting the vehicle in Southend Road less than 30 minutes later.”

The spokesperson said “there were no reported injuries to staff or members of the public”.

Meanwhile, Nottinghamshire Police have appealed to the public for information as it investigates a burglary at Jayplex Chemist in Mansfield Road, Woodthorpe, which took place at 3.40am on May 30.

The force said “an offender smashed the lower half of the shop's front door to gain entry”.

“A number of fragrances were grabbed from the counter and put in a blue Co-op bag before the offender fled towards Hawksworth Avenue,” Nottinghamshire Police added.

It said it has examined CCTV and doorbell footage in the area and made house-to-house inquiries since the break-in.

Police Constable Toby Love of Nottinghamshire Police said: “We've been working with the business owner since this break-in and are now in a position to release an image of someone we'd like to speak with.

“We understand the image is not completely clear but believe people who know the individual will recognise him. If you know who he is or have any other relevant information or footage which could assist us, please get in touch.”