POLICE have branded thieves who have stolen bags left on doorsteps for charities as dispicable.

The Durham force is urging people to be vigilant after a spate of thefts of bags left out for charity workers.

On Tuesday, four bags intended for the Great North Air Ambulance were taken from three homes in Wantage Road, Belmont, Durham City.

At about 8.40am the bags, which were marked as air ambulance property, were removed by two men, who pulled up in a white van.

Shortly afterwards, a van owned by the charity arrived to pick up the bags and the collectors discovered the thefts.

PC Gordon Stuart, of the Sherburn community beat team, said there had been a similar theft in the Pont Bungalows area of Leadgate, near Consett, and others had been reported across the county.

Uurging householders to be vigilant, he said: "This is a despicable crime. People donated their property intending it to benefit the air ambulance, which provides a life-saving service. I would appeal to anyone with information to contact us."

The van in the Belmont theft was a white Ford Transit with a sliding side door and an orange light on the top.

The two men travelling in it were wearing distinctive luminous jackets.

Anyone with information about the theft is asked to call the beat unit on 0191- 375 2844.