TWO men were arrested and a large knife recovered after reports of a theft from a shop in Derry city centre.

The pair were arrested on Monday evening on suspicion of various offences, including one for possessing "an article with point or blade in a public place".

According to the PSNI, the men were arrested some hours after city centre neighbourhood team officers were alerted at 1.45pm to an attempted theft at a shop in the city. The officers were carrying out patrols linked to retail crime.

At 4.50pm, two men matching the description of the two male suspects were spotted in the area, the police said.

One of the men, aged 24 years old, was detained and arrested by officers. He was detained on suspicion of possessing a class c controlled drug.

The second suspect, aged 27, ran but was caught by officers. He was arrested on suspicion of disorderly behaviour and possession possessing an article with point or blade in a public place, theft, fraud by false representation and handling stolen goods.

"As a result of this incident, our officers recovered a large knife. I want to take this opportunity to thank the public for their assistance with this incident," a PSNI spokesperson said.