DETECTIVES believe the same man may be responsible for a crime spree of five incidents in just two hours.

Officers have issued a CCTV picture of the man they suspect is responsible for all five incidents in Sunderland on Monday (Aug 24).

At about 2.35pm, a man tried to break into a house in Kitchener Street and damaged the door, but was unable to get inside and fled empty-handed.

Between 3.45pm and 4pm a house in General Graham Street was broken into. The burglar stole a suitcase, Lladro ornaments and the keys to a Hyundai Getz parked outside.

Just after 4pm, a man armed with a kitchen knife attempted to rob Hylton Post Office and Costcutters, on Railway Terrace.

He demanded cash from staff, who were left shaken but unharmed, then left empty-handed in a small blue car heading towards Pennywell.

Only 15 minutes later, police were called to an attempted robbery at William Hill, on Hylton Road. The offender again demanded money while holding a knife.

When refused cash, he left the store and staff were again left shaken but unharmed.

Finally, at 4.30pm officers received a report that a blue Hyundai Getz had been abandoned in Ettrick Grove and set alight, which is being treated as arson.

Detective Inspector Paul Stewart said: "We want to speak to this man as we believe he can help us with our enquiries into this series of incidents that happened in the Sunderland area on Monday afternoon.

"We have officers out in Sunderland making enquiries and if anyone knows who, or where he is, then I'd ask they contact us with any information as soon as possible."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Northumbria Police on 101, extension 69191, quoting log number 767 and 791 24/08/15 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.