This is the teenage car thief who tried – and spectacularly failed – to hide from police by climbing inside a giant teddy.

Joshua Dobson, 18, from Spotland, Rochdale, was being hunted last month for stealing an £8,500 Mitsubishi, driving while banned and uninsured, and not paying for fuel.

When officers turned up to arrest him, he was nowhere to be seen – until one of them noticed the five-foot teddy bear sitting in the corner was breathing.

Mocking Dobson in a statement posted on Facebook, Greater Manchester Police said he has now been ‘stuffed behind bars’.

A spokesman also joked that they hoped the thief’s stint in jail is ‘bearable’.

Social media users begged them to release the body-worn footage of the arrest.

The force said: ‘A wanted car thief who tried using a teddy bear to hide from our neighbourhood cops out looking for him last month has been put behind bars for nine months.

‘Joshua Dobson, from the Spotland area of the town, was sought by us after stealing a car in May and not paying for fuel that same day.

‘When we went to arrest him, our officers noticed a large bear breathing in the address before finding Dobson hidden inside!

‘He’s now stuffed behind bars after being sentenced last week for theft of a motor vehicle, driving while disqualified, and making off from a petrol station without payment.

‘Hopefully he has a bearable time inside…’

Social media users also joined in, with Sixouxsie Hampson commenting: ‘Apprehended by officers on paw patrol.’

John New Clews said: ‘He will only get the bear essentials in jail.’

And Nad Yas quipped: ‘Chances are the judge is gonna give him bear minimum sentence.’

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