Five teenagers have been arrested after trying to steal cars in central Christchurch overnight.

A police spokesman said four males and a female, aged between 15 and 16, face a charge of unlawfully attempting to take a motor vehicle on Cambridge Terrace.

They will appear in the Christchurch Youth Court today, the spokesperson said.

“We want to thank the members of the public who reported the suspicious activity just before 10.30pm which led to swift action by police.”