RAIDERS forced their way into a Shildon house through a rear patio door and escaped with a number of items.

The burglary happened at a house in Granville Avenue, on Thursday, December 6, between 7.30am and 6.30pm.

Police say the thieves got away with a high value Scott Genius 50 mountain bike, Playstation games console with eight games and a gold Accurist watch with a black rectangular face.

No-one was in the house when the thieves struck.

Anyone with information should contact PC Gareth Hodgson, at Bishop Auckland, on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.