Three youths caught on camera stealing from a central city gym in Christchurch have been identified.

The incident took place at Snap Fitness Christchurch CBD gym on Madras Street earlier this week.

The offenders entered the facility and began shaking the vending machine forcing sports drinks to fall into the tray.

Unbeknownst to the thieves, they were being filmed by the gym’s security cameras.

One of the offenders filmed the act on his cell phone while laughing.

The offenders were not members of the gym and managed to enter the facility after a member from another Snap Fitness gym let them in.

All four entered the gym together.

The gym manager told Chris Lynch Media a Christchurch school principal recognised one of the youths as a pupil from his school, while a person from one of the youth’s sports club identified the other offenders.

The manager said the youths and their parents were meeting staff at the gym this week to apologise.

The gym member who let the youths in had her membership cancelled.

Christchurch police were investigating the matter.