POLICE are investigating after a thief fled the scene after being confronted by a home owner.

A spokeswoman for Northumbria Police said officers received a report of an attempted burglary at a premises in St James’ Court, Haltwhistle. The offender was described as in his 40s, around 5 ft 7, with a grey beard and was wearing shorts and a black hoodie. He had tried to steal a bike from a shed.