A hapless teenager fleeing the police led officers all the way back to his own home - where he was duly arrested.

Durham Police said the suspected thief had gone to the Bishop Auckland police station to ask what he was wanted for.

But he made a "quick u-turn" when he realised he would be spending the night in custody.

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Bishop Auckland police posted on their Facebook page: “Officers, including the inspector, sprinted after the teenager who unimaginatively ran all the way home where he was apprehended and his mobile seized – no Snapchat update for him today

“He is now enjoying our ensuite facilities in the custody site he took an earlier dislike to.”

The teenager was just one of the targets for officers from Response’s B Relief, CID and the Neighbourhood Team, who were out early arresting suspects that are believed to be responsible for theft of bikes and motorbikes in and around Bishop Auckland.

The post added: “A second teenager believed to be responsible for the thefts was also located and was not too happy about us seizing his mobile phone.

“Suffice to say he is now in custody and his phone, which will now be examined, is safely with us.

“An investigation is now ongoing to identify the other suspects.”

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