Police in Ryedale today advised pub landlords to be extra vigilant after "sneak-in thieves" targeted two premises in Malton in 15 minutes.

More than £100 was stolen from the Blue Ball Pub on Newbiggin, and a bunch of keys were taken from the New Globe Inn on Yorkergate.

In both incidents - which happened within minutes of each other on Sunday at 6.15pm - the thieves entered the pubs via a back door when they were both closed.

The landlord of the New Globe Inn, Barry Hodgson, said he was alerted to the thieves when his alarm went off.

"I ran downstairs and gave chase out of the building, but they were too quick. I later found the keys in the car park," he said.

"It seemed they just walked straight in through the back door. You couldn't be more brazen if you tried - cheeky isn't the word." Mr Hodgson added that he could not rule out the possibility that a former guest may have taken a copy of the pub's keys.

Only minutes earlier the thieves had walked into the Blue Ball and helped themselves to £100 from the till.

Police say the landlord noticed someone leaving the premises as he came up from the cellar.

He also gave chase, but the culprits ran off towards Peasey Hill Road.

Officers are appealing for the driver of a white Austin Metro parked outside the Blue Ball pub at the time to come forward. They believe he may have had a good look at the thieves.

Sergeant Cliff Edens, of Malton Police, today advised landlords in the area to look closely at their security arrangements.

He said: "When pubs are closed to the public, landlords must make sure they've locked up. That doesn't just mean the front door - it means every door."

The only description police have is that one of the culprits had dark hair, and was wearing dark trousers and a white shirt at the time of the incidents.

Anyone with information should contact PC John Tugwell on Malton police 01653 692424.

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