SAY cheese! This is the moment a bungling robber managed to get himself caught on camera.

The young thief is pictured on the left, next to a group of Southampton students, just minutes before he helped rob them in a city centre park.

Detectives are convinced the hooded teenager, circled, is one of three youths who threatened the students with bottles before stealing a wallet.

It was only after the victims developed their photographs that they realised they had captured the mugger on camera.

DC Joe Stock, of the Southampton crime team, said: "This was a very frightening experience for this group of young people to be attacked in a park in this way. We believe the person pictured on the left of this photograph was involved in the robbery and would urge anyone who recognises him to get in contact with us, either directly or via the anonymous Crimestoppers line.

"Someone must know who he is, and all information will be treated in confidence. We would also make a direct appeal for this young lad or his family to contact police as soon as possible."

The mixed group of six students had left Pizza Hut in Hanover Buildings at 9pm on Saturday before heading across Hoglands Park.

Police said they had got half way across the park when they stopped to take some photographs of each other.

Seconds later, the youngsters were approached by three robbers - two of whom were brandishing glass bottles.

Detectives said one student was forced to hand over his wallet, while a second youngster was ordered to hand over cigarettes and money, and was struck in the face when he refused.

Police said the victims had had their film developed earlier this week, and as soon they realised who was pictured, showed police the photograph, which has now been handed to the Daily Echo in a bid to identify the mystery lad, shown above.

Detectives were today hunting three Asian teenagers aged between 15 and 17 in connection with the attack.

One was described as 5ft 6in to 5ft 9in, average build, with dark brown collar length hair, a small moustache and a southern accent, wearing a blue hooded jacket under a parka-type coat.

A second was 5ft 9in to 5ft 11in, average build, with dark brown curly collar length hair, wearing a red jacket and blue jeans.

Both teenagers brandished bottles during the attack.

A third youth was 5ft 6in to 5ft 9in and of average build.

Detectives believe the same trio may be behind a similar incident at Golden Grove, St Mary's, earlier on Saturday, when a 12-year-old boy was pushed over and robbed of computer games he had been carrying.

If you know who the silly mugger is, contact the crime team at Southampton Central police station on 0845 045 4545, or the anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.