A sneak thief stole two handbags from a staff room at the Monkbar Hotel, York.

The man, who is described as white, 5ft 7in tall, and aged about 18, was wearing a purple and yellow baseball cap.

Meanwhile, a Yamaha 125cc motorcycle, registration A704 RVV, was stolen from a house in Burton Green, and a blue Ford Transit van, registration K331 KGT, was taken from Heslington Road. Vehicle thieves also stole a red Fiat Panda, registration K816 PAG, from Monkton Road, off Malton Road.

A woman called the police after seeing torch lights directed through her window, hearing a key tried in her door and a person climbing her drainpipe in Linden Court, York. No-one was found.

Updated: 08:43 Friday, June 27, 2003