AN opportunist burglar stole a box of syringes after walking into a house last week.

The householder discovered the teenage burglar in her home, in Harperley Gardens, Catchgate, near Stanley, on Thursday.

The 21-year-old woman had returned to the house at about 5.15pm with her two-year-old child and had left the back door unlocked while she went upstairs.

She heard a noise and went back downstairs to confront a burglar, aged 17 or 18, rummaging through her kitchen.

The intruder, who was wearing a black hooded top with tracksuit bottoms and trainers, ran off towards Rogerley Terrace, carrying a box of ten syringes which the householder used to administer prescribed medicine.

The burglar is described as being clean shaven, with a pale complexion and short mousey-coloured hair.

Anyone with information is asked to ring Durham Police on 0845 60 60 365.