POLICE have warned Bishop Auckland people to keep their doors locked after two sneak burglaries.

Two people living on the Woodhouse Close Estate lost cash and other items when each had a handbag stolen on Monday afternoon.

One victim, a woman, 60, had left her door ajar while she lay down to rest after collecting her pension. She was targeted at 2.30pm, shortly before the second theft in a nearby street.

Detective Constable Jim Lawrie said: "We can't emphasise enough how important it is for people to keep their doors locked, even during the daytime."