A Shropshire photographer today claimed he caught three youths redhanded breaking into and attempting to steal his grandson’s car.

Mike Wilkinson said he took pictures of two teenagers as they were disturbed when he returned to his daughter Elizabeth Wilkinson’s house in Holyhead Road, Ketley, Telford.

A Facebook and Twitter campaign has since been launched in the hope someone will identify those pictured.

Police have also issued an appeal for witnesses or anyone with information on the incident to come forward.

Telford police spokesman Chris Ammonds confirmed officers were investigating the incident, which happened between 3pm and 3.45pm on Monday.

He said: “A woman reported disturbing three youths breaking into a red Peugeot 106 car.

“A car stereo and two Kenwood speakers were stolen, as well as a wooden rounders bat from the back seat.

“It looks like the youths were in the process of hotwiring and attempting to steal the car before legging it when they were disturbed.

“Obviously we would be very keen to hear from anyone who recognises the people from the pictures,” he added.

Mr Wilkinson,63, had just returned to the house when he said he spotted a youngster lurking at the top of the drive.

“I am a naturally suspicious type anyway so, when I saw two others pulling on latex gloves, I knew something was amiss,” he said.

He reached straight for his camera and started snapping away.

Mr Wilkinson claims one of the youths was disturbed by the clicking sound of the camera and looked up before fleeing with the other two, one of whom was acting as lookout at the top of the drive.

Elizabeth, 38, added: “I have released the pictures on the internet in the hope that, if nothing else, it scares these kids off doing this sort of thing again.”

Anyone with information is urged to call Constable Lou Taylor at Wellington police station on 0300 333 3000.

By Simon Hardy