OFFENDERS who tried to make off with a motorbike have been foiled by the quick actions of a 12-year-old.

A Dawlish Community College student spotted two youths making off with a motorcycle left in the front garden of his uncle's home in Dawlish.

The quick thinking lad accompanied by his siblings, alerted his uncle, who was celebrated his wedding anniversary on Saturday at a neighbour's barbecue just a few doors away.

He then jumped in his car to pursue the offenders who were apprehended 300 yards further up the road.

He caught up with the 15 and 16-year-old thieves attempting to hot wire the Yamaha scooter and police were able to make an arrest on the spot.

He said: 'They did really well.

'The children gave a good description, so I jumped in the car and drove in the direction that the children had seen them go.

'The children deserve recognition because they reported it appropriately, gave good descriptions and even thought to look out to see the direction they were going in.

'It is down to them that the thieves were caught.'

The man's 25-year-old son was hoping to restore the bike but severe damage to the front faring, wiring and ignition may scupper plans.

The offenders from Stockport were reprimanded by police.