EMBARRASSED police have carried out a security review after thieves broke into Darlington's main police station.

The cheeky raiders smashed a window and got into a storeroom where they grabbed several video tapes.

Now police - who only last week announced a 15.3 per cent fall in recorded crime in the town - have warned the culprits that they have an excellent record in solving burglaries.

Sergeant Graham Charman said: "I suppose it's a bit embarrassing for us, but it just goes to show no one is above being burgled."

Officers were alerted to the break-in at 10.50pm on Sunday.

A passer-by found several video tapes dumped in an alleyway behind Belvedere Road.

"The videos in question were no longer of any evidential value, and were just waiting to be returned to the premises which had supplied them to us," said Sgt Charman.

"Someone found the videos - there were 14 of them - abandoned in a back alley and on examination this person realised they were linked to the police station because of the packaging."

He added that officers then searched the station, in St Cuthbert's Way, and found the window to the storeroom broken.

"As a result of this we have reviewed our security arrangements and we no longer store things in that location."

Inspector Paul Unsworth warned the thieves: "We have a good rate of detection for burglaries."

He said that whoever carried out the audacious crime might brag about the raid to friends and family and urged anyone with information to contact the police.

Officers are also examining the videos for fingerprints and checking CCTV camera footage.

Anyone with information should call PC Alistair Smollett on (01325) 467681.