THREE pre-teen burglars posed as festive carol singers in order to identify a suitable victim, York detectives believe.

Police in the city are sure that the three boys, aged between ten and 12, who sang carols on the doorstep of a house in Meadow Way, Heworth, were the same three boys discovered raiding a neighbouring property just minutes later.

Now police are keen to gather information on the trio, one of whom had a distinctive Mohican haircut, with a strip of hair running down the middle of his otherwise shaved head.

They are also seeking a passing cyclist who helped the householder to chase the intruders as they made their escape along Westlands Grove following the break-in on Sunday evening.

Detective Constable Clive Rich, of York CID, said it was a very unusual incident, considering the young age of the culprits and the manner of the crime.

He said: "They fall outside the age range of our usual burglar, and the police are concerned about that. Obviously, they have gone carol singing to one lady's house and a few minutes later a man discovered them in his house further down the road.

"The singing could have been a way of seeing if there was anybody in the house, or checking security.

"I don't want to put people off giving money to carol singers, but they should be extra cautious, and of course everyone should make sure that their house is secure."

DC Rich said three young boys called at a house in Meadow Way at about 8pm and sang a few lines of a carol. The female occupant looked out from an upstairs window, was suspicious, so decided not to open her door.

She described the singers as having young and "unbroken" voices and said the smallest of the three had a Mohican haircut.

Minutes later a 67-year-old man, who was in his home in Meadow Way with his wife, went into his kitchen and discovered three boys in there.

They fled through the kitchen window and the householder gave chase along Westlands Grove.

A passing cyclist jumped from his bike and also gave chase but was unable to catch the suspects.

The three boys escaped without any property, although items in the house had been moved.

Anyone with information about the burglary, or the cyclist who helped to give chase, should phone DC Rich on 01904 669451.

Thieves used stolen cards to withdraw money

A "SUBSTANTIAL" sum of money was withdrawn from a bank soon after a handbag was stolen from a house in York.

The bag was stolen from a house in Marlborough Grove, York, between 7pm and 10pm on Sunday.

Thieves entered through an insecure rear door and removed the brown Radley bag, worth £100, from the kitchen.

It contained a purse, including cards and cash, a diary, driving licence and a notebook.

The cards were then used to withdraw a large sum of cash.

Anyone with information should phone PC Hamish Halloway on 01904 669564.

Updated: 09:54 Thursday, December 09, 2004