But the incident in Whitchurch, involving Michael John Hall,  was only made public yesterday – 48 hours after the escape.

Hall, from Bootle in Merseyside, was being transferred back to Stoke Heath Young Offenders’ Institute, near Market Drayton, when he fled.

Inspector Graham Spencer, of Merseyside Police, today confirmed that  Hall had been re-arrested in the early hours of today.

He said: “Mr Hall has been re-arrested in the Wigan area. He is now in custody. He will go back to Stoke Heath.”

Hall was serving an 18-month sentence for burglary and vehicle offences at the Shropshire institute, but was in the custody of Merseyside Police on other matters when he fled.

Angry residents were left wondering what was happening on Tuesday evening after the police helicopter was scrambled twice above their homes.

One Whitchurch resident, Martin Spiby, said he thought people in the area should have been made aware of the circumstances.

Merseyside Police said there had been a delay in releasing the information to the public as they were unsure if they could release a picture of the youth and had to call the legal team.

West Mercia Police said the protocol was for Merseyside Police to release the information, and if they had thought there was a danger to the public they would have released it themselves.

A spokeswoman for the Prison Service said that the issue was a police matter  and declined to comment further.