Police have likened CCTV of shop thieves driving through a shopping centre to a scene out of the 1960s caper The Italian Job.

The raiders smashed their way into the Forum Shopping Centre in Wallsend, North Tyneside, at around 4.10am on January 29.

Rather than using red, white and blue Minis like Michael Caine’s mob in the movie, the real-life criminals used a black hatchback to drive through the mall and up to the O2 shop, where they broke in and stole phones and other expensive technology.

They then fled the scene in their vehicle and have yet to be caught.

Northumbria Police said the scene “wouldn’t look out of place in the film The Italian Job”.

In a statement, Pc David Hudson said: “The significant damage to the shopping centre and the burglary has caused substantial financial loss for the businesses involved.

“An investigation has been launched and I urge anyone with information, or who may have been in the area at the time and witnessed something, to get in touch.”

Anyone with any information should contact police via 101, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.