INTRUDERS fled a house empty-handed after possibly breaking in to the wrong house, police have said.

The three men, armed with a bat, forced their way into the property on Bridge Street, Bishop Auckland, at about 3.50am on Saturday, June 9.

They discovered the occupier on the stairs, who had been asleep upstairs, and fled. No-one was hurt in the incident.

Police believe the intruders may have targeted the house by mistake and intended to break-in to a different property.

One of the suspects is described as in his late teens, bare chested and with his shirt wrapped around his head in a ‘turban’ style.

Detective Constable Steve Richards, of Durham Police, said: “This was obviously a very serious and frightening incident for the victim and we are appealing for any witnesses, or anyone who was in the street who may have heard or seen a disturbance.”