A 12-INCH bolt from a crossbow was fired through a window in the dead of night in a motiveless attack.

The bolt embedded itself in the living room wall of the two-bedroomed terraced house in the Moorside area of Consett.

Police can establish no reason why the 46-year-old occupant of the home was singled out for the attack.The victim was awoken by a huge bang in his home at about 1.30am last Thursday. He hurried downstairs to find his living room window had been completely shattered.

PC Graeme Whitfield said: "This was an incredibly irresponsible act, which could have had lethal consequences.

"If anyone had been in the living room when the bolt was fired through the window they could have been seriously hurt or even killed.

"We are appealing for anyone with information to get in touch, especially if they know of someone local who owns a crossbow."

Anyone with any information should call Consett CID on (01207) 504204