A THIEF who sneaked into the annexe of a house in Swindon and stole a purse left his bike behind.

The alarm was raised at around 8.20pm on Monday, January 9, when the householder saw a man open the door of the annex at the end of the garden.

She shouted at him but he fled, taking with him her purse, cash and cards from her handbag.

The back of the house in Groundwell Road backs onto an alley near the Co-op supermarket in York Road.

PC Simon Peet said: "We would like to speak to anyone who may have seen or heard anything suspicious in this area at this time.

"Perhaps you were in Groundwell Road or York Road and saw a man acting suspiciously - if so please come forward.

"Also, the offender appears to have left a black Carrera men’s mountain bike at the location."

Anyone with information is asked to call 101, email 2464@wiltshire.pnn.police.uk or phone Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.