Two would-be thieves were caught red-handed by police as they attempted to rob a store early this morning.

Around 2am this morning, police were called to Triq San Franġisk, Bormla, after some suspicious activity was noticed near a store.

When officers arrived on the scene, they noticed a lock on the store’s door had been broken, and entered the building.

Upon entering, they came face to face with a hooded man and woman.

The pair were immediately arrested, and a search upon them found a knife, torch and an undisclosed amount of money, among other things. Their getaway car was found shortly afterwards parked in Triq it-Tlett Ibliet.

The pair, a 31-year-old male from Marsa and a 29-year-old female from Żabbar, were taken to the Floriana lock-up for further interrogation.

Magistrate Joe Mifsud has opened an inquiry into the attempted robbery.