A gang of Romanian chewing gum thieves are believed to have struck at Dartmouth.

A pair of Romanian nationals were arrested this week after £1,000 worth of chewing gum was stolen from the Sainsbury stores at Dartmouth and the Willows, Torquay.

National reports confirm a spate of chewing gum thefts across the country.

It is believed gangs have been stealing gum from shops to take back to Romania, where it is sold to street vendors to be used as currency.

The gangs operate by going up and down the aisles filling 'Bags for Life' with gum.

On Monday this week, at just after 1pm, a large amount of chewing gum was taken from the Sainsbury's store in Nelson Road, Dartmouth.

Police believe three men filled two bags with chewing gum and left the store.

Then at shortly before 5pm staff at the Torquay out-of-town Sainsbury's superstore spotted two men suspected of filling bags with chewing gum.

It is believed a third man may have been waiting nearby in a car.

Police said: 'Two men were taken into custody. We are investigating two thefts of chewing gum and whether there is any link. We are told that chewing gum is used as currency in Romania.'

Two men were due to appear at Torquay magistrates on Wednesday charged with theft.