A YOUNG thief was given a taste of his own medicine when he broke into a car and stole a camera - only to have his bike stolen seconds later.

The thief, believed to be as young as ten, was seen smashing the window of a Vauxhall Agila, parked in Gribdale Road, Redcar, at 4.40pm on Monday.

The owner of the car approached the boy to ask him what he was doing. The offender replied: "Robbing you," before stealing the camera from the car.

As he began to ride away on his bike, the boy dropped the camera.

He got off his bike to retrieve the stolen property, but as he did so, a black and yellow taxi pulled up beside the stranded bike.

The driver got out the car, picked up the bike and put it in the taxi before driving away.

The young thief ran off, leaving the camera on the pavement.

Police are appealing for anyone with information to contact Middlesbrough CID on (01642) 303126.