POLICE in north Durham suspect the same gang of criminals struck at two properties close to each other on Thursday night and are appealing to the public for information.

The first house to be targeted was in Pikesyde, a cul-de-sac in Dipton, where the burglars forced their way in through the patio doors during cover of darkness.

In a search of the downstairs, they stole a mobile phone and the keys to a black Vauxhall Vectra parked outside.

They then made off with the car - registration X576 OOE - which has not been seen since.

In the early hours of yesterday morning, burglars entered a house not far away, in Derwent View.

They prised open a kitchen window, but backed off at the sight of the family's Staffordshire bull terrier.

However, they found a motorbike chained to a rear wall outside and cut their way through the chain.

They then dragged the machine across the road where they managed to get it started.

A neighbour was woken by the sound of the bike being started up, at around 6am, and saw the yellow Rieju MRX 125 bike on the street outside.

A slim man, aged 18 to 20 and wearing a combat-style jacket, was riding it.

Ahead of the bike was a bottle-green car, possibly a Ford Fiesta or a Peugeot, which the bike appeared to be following.

Police are anxious to speak to anyone who saw the trials bike or the dark green car in the area first thing yesterday morning or, anyone who might have spotted the black Vauxhall Vectra stolen from the other house.

Anyone with information on the thefts is asked to call PCs Paul Gray or Jamie Bell on 0845 60 60 365.