THIEVES who carried out an overnight raid on a site office may well have made off with the guard dog which was there to stop them.

It is thought that Benson, the Rottweiler which patrols the grounds of the Civic Amenities Site in Newton Aycliffe, may have just wandered off - as he has in the past.

But the thieves who raided the site, in Heighington Lane, also took dog food, leading his owners to suspect he has been stolen.

Also taken were a Technics radio cassette player, two Motorola mobile phones and four screwdrivers.

DC Ian Ferguson, of Newton Aycliffe police, said: "At the minute, the guard dog is reported stolen, but it has wandered off in the past."

Anyone with information about the theft, which took place between 8.30pm on Sunday and 7.50am on Monday, should contact police on (01325) 314401