Children on an Easter egg hunt formed a human arrow to direct a police helicopter to two suspected burglars.The group of 30 youngsters and adults were in a field in Capel, Surrey, on Good Friday when they spotted the aircraft circling overhead.
The National Police Air Service (NPAS) helicopter had been called by Surrey Police after a report of intruders at a disused building.
The quick-thinking children spotted two men fleeing across the field and formed an arrow to direct officers to them.
The helicopter crew told officers on the ground, who arrested two men.
Who were desperately trying to figure out how to arrange themselves on the ground in the shape of a big middle finger in response to the children's arrow.
NPAS Sergeant Paul Sochon said: "The swift action taken by the group of parents and their children was the sort of thing you would usually associate with an Enid Blyton adventure but their ingenuity proved a great help for our crews.
"As a thank you for their efforts, the NPAS crew landed nearby to thank the children for the role they played in the incident and they even shared a few chocolate treats with the team, which was an added bonus after a busy shift."
A 28-year-old man and a 27-year-old man were arrested on suspicion of burglary.
They were released on bail until 13 May pending further inquiries.