Thieves steal guns from Stocksfield home

Jul 10 2009 by Sophie Doughty, The Journal

POLICE are trying to find thieves who stole guns from a cottage before the weapons end up in the wrong hands.

Four guns worth hundreds of pounds were taken when burglars raided a home in Stocksfield.

The two rifles and two shotguns had been securely stored in a gun cabinet at East Cottage, near Wheelbirks Farm, in the village.

But the raiders ripped the cabinet off the wall when they got into the home between 8.30am and 5.45pm, on Wednesday, and took the contents.

The arsenal includes a Parker Hale action rifle, a Marlin Under Leaver rifle, a Winchester 20-bore shotgun and an Aya Yeoman 12-bore shotgun.

Although the legally-owned guns were stored unloaded and no ammunition was taken, police are trying to trace them and get them off the streets, now they are in the hands of criminals.

Sgt Paul Armstrong said: “These guns are likely to be worth hundreds of pounds each.

“It is important we locate them as soon as possible to ensure they do not end up in the wrong hands.” Officers are appealing to the public to help them find the weapons

Sgt Armstrong said: “We are keen for anyone who knows anything to contact police as soon as possible.”

The thieves got into the cottage through its main door, although police found no sign of a forced entry.

Nothing else was taken from the home.

All the weapons are potentially lethal in the wrong hands

Anyone with any information is asked to call Prudhoe CID on 03456 043 043.

Page 2 - Pair charged over burglaries >>