THREE teenagers, arrested after a masked moped gang tried to carjack drivers in Southampton, have been released by police.

Officers launched an investigation after riders wearing balaclavas tried to open the doors of cars stopped at traffic lights or being driven in the city in the early hours of Wednesday.

The incidents happened at 2.21am on the M271 at Nursling, at 3.01am on Portswood Road and at 3.27am on Charlotte Place.

Police said the group was also seen in St Vincent’s Walk, Redbridge Causeway, Clover Nooke and Bedford Place between 2.16am and 3.14am.

Officers said the investigation was still at an early stage and they were still trying to find out what happened at each location.

But they confirmed the group dumped a moped at around 3.25am and made off on foot on Kendal Avenue.

Officers worked with the National Police Air Service (NPAS), using a helicopter to track down the group.

Yesterday, police arrested two 15-year-old boys from the New Forest and a 17-year-old boy from Southampton for conspiracy to commit robbery in connection with the incidents.

They have since been released from police custody but remain under investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to get in contact with police.

Officers are particularly keen to speak to anyone who has dash cam footage of anyone riding a light coloured moped in Southampton between 11pm on Tuesday 22 May and 3am on Wednesday 23 May.

If you have any information relating to this case, call 101 quoting reference '44180190524', or contact Crimestoppers anonymously.