POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a distraction burglary at the home of an elderly man.
The incident took place at a house on Gladstone Street in Fencehouses, Houghton-le-Spring, at 2pm on Thursday.
A man approached the elderly occupant and said he was there to do some work on the house.
The resident then heard banging and disturbed a second man who was upstairs.
The two men then fled empty handed when the elderly man said he would call the police.
Both men were aged 30 to 40, and the first was wearing a distinctive jacket, was 6ft tall and well built.
The second man was also tall and well built, and was wearing a dark clothing and a cap.
A spokeswoman for Northumbria Police said officers were keen to speak to two men seen in the store opposite the house on Gladstone Street.
They were aged 30 to 40, and one was wearing a reflective jacket. The other was wearing dark clothing and a grey woollen hat.
Anyone with information should call police on 03456-043043, or Crimestoppers on 0800-555111.
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