TWO rifles were stolen during a burglary and police investigating the theft are doing all they can to recover them.

Two legally-held firearms were stolen from a property in Startforth, Barnard Castle, between 11.45am on December 16 and 8.20am on December 18.

They are a .22 Anschutz bolt action rifle, serial number 1133698, and a .243 Sako bolt action rifle, serial number 252548.

Both firearms are fitted with a telescopic sight.

Detective Constable Mick Rutherford, of South Durham CID, said: “Both of these firearms were legally owned and we are doing everything we can to try and locate them.

“These firearms are easily identified and distinctive in their appearance so please contact us if you are offered them for sale, or see them for sale in suspicious circumstances.”

  • Anyone with any information is urged to call Durham police on 101 and ask for Det Con Rutherford, quoting incident number 83 of December 18.

Alternatively they can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800-555111.