POLICE are appealing for help tracing a man who made a failed attempt to break into a jewellers’ shop.

The suspect, who was in his mid 20s, tried to smash the front window of the David Summerfield jewellers in Front Street, Chester-le-Street to steal goods from the display inside.

When he failed to break the glass fully, he ran off along the alleyway behind the shop and ran across the public car park to the rear of St.Mary’s nursing home in the direction of the swimming baths.

The incident happened just after 9am on Wednesday, May 18 and police believe several members of the public were in the area at the time.

The suspect is described as white, of slim build, and wearing a grey hooded top, navy blue cut off tracksuit bottoms and white footwear.

Anyone with information is asked to ring PC Norman Foster, of Chester-le-Street Police Office, on 0345 6060365 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.