Burglary suspect caught pretending to be a solar panel on the top of shops after London break-in

A suspected burglar had a day to forget after his impromptu solar panel disguise was immediately rumbled by the National Police Air Service's (NPAS) helicopter team.

Taking to social media, the NPAS recounted the bizarre way a high-speed getaway attempt ended in Wandsworth this weekend which saw the bungling suspect attempt to pass himself off as a solar panel. 

Sharing a photo on Twitter captured by the helicopter's thermal imaging camera, a figure can be seen lying adjacent to a solar panel on a roof of a building in the busy London area.  

The NPAS tweeted: 'Another burglary suspect located by us attempting to hide on a roof in @MPSWandsworth.

In images captured by helicopter's thermal imaging camera, a figure can be seen lying next to a solar panel

After sharing the incident on social media many people mocked the suspected burglar

'**Friendly advice for any burglars that use Twitter** Pretending to be solar panel on a roof will not fool us or our camera!!…, you're welcome! 

'They'll never find me if I just lay here and pretend I'm a solar panel! Wrong!!'

Naturally the incident sparked much hilarity among the NPAS' Twitter followers who saw the humorous side in the situation. 

One said: 'They don't appear to be as 'bright' as the solar panels it seems.' 

Another agreed, simply writing: 'PLANK.' 

One, presumably ex-law official shared a similar tale of incompetence. 

They said: 'Had a lad run from an LOS vehicle. 

'He was easily 6’ tall. He ran into the garden of a house and hid under a doormat. 

'A normal size doormat. Absolute lemon. He was similarly spotted by 99 and detained.'