DETECTIVES in Peterlee have warned people working in public buildings to be vigilant after a thief walked into a school and made off with cash and other items.

The man entered through the front door of Shotton Hall Comprehensive School at about 2.20pm on Tuesday and searched various rooms, including a changing area where a number of students had left their belongings while a PE lesson took place.

The thief stole sums of cash, but because there were numerous victims, it has been difficult to establish a total sum of money. Various personal items were also taken.

A number of people saw the intruder on the premises but did not realise his real motive for being there.

He is described as being 6ft, pale with short, straight sandy coloured hair, and in his late teens to early twenties.

Detective Constable Siobhan Jones, of Peterlee CID, urged staff working in public buildings in the area to be on the lookout in case the thief tried his luck elsewhere.

"By their nature schools and similar buildings are open to the public and potentially vulnerable to this type of crime. It makes life much harder for thieves if people keep an eye on entrances and are prepared to challenge anyone they find on the premises they do not recognise."