POLICE believe Eastern European thieves may have been behind a distraction burglary in which cash and jewellery was stolen from a flat above a shop.

The incident happened when seven or eight men and women went into the Coxhoe Discount Store, in The Avenue, Coxhoe, at about 9pm on Tuesday.

The female shopkeeper was distracted by the group, and it was later found that a substantial amount of cash and jewellery had been taken from the upstairs living quarters.

Inspector Dick Dodds, of Durham City police, said the group was dressed distinctively, the women wearing long black skirts and shawls and the men in combat trousers and T-shirts.

"We believe they could be of Eastern European origin," he said.

"There have been similar burglaries of this type at Darlington and Gateshead. It is exactly the same method of operation and distraction. We think it is the same group that has done all of them. It is too much of a coincidence.''

Police believe the group may have been travelling in a green car and urge people to be on guard in case they strike again.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0845-60-60- 365 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.