AN investigation is underway after a handbag was snatched from a house during a nighttime burglary.

Police in Newton Aycliffe are looking into the incident which is understood to have occurred sometime overnight between Monday to Tuesday.

Inspector Sarah Honeyman said the suspect gained access through an unsecure door and the bag’s contents have since been found “strewn” around the nearby area.

An arrest was made this week but the person was later released without charge.

Anyone with information about the burglary is asked to contact police via the force’s non-emergency number101.

Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800-555-111.