Thirteen Bulgarian nationals were arrested as they were leaving a hotel on their way to the airport, and will be charged with pickpocketing, the police said.

In a statement, the police said that at 12:30pm, four men and six women, all from Bulgaria, were arrested after police officers saw them exit a hotel in Sliema with their luggage as they were about to leave for the airport.

The group of people were accompanied by three children aged between five and six years.

The 10 Bulgarians were found to be in possession of mobile phones and a substantial amount of money, in euro, sterling, and other foreign currency; which the police believe had been stolen in  via pickpocketing over the past days.

Two hours later two other women and a man, also of Bulgarian nationality, were also arrested for similar offences.

They were also accompanied by a child.

The police said they are in possession of CCTV footage and other incriminating evidence against the Bulgarian nationals.

They will be arraigned in court on Saturday.