TWO Selby householders came face to face with burglars during a spate of sneak-in thefts.

Just before 5pm on Thursday, the male owner of a house, in Armoury Road, Selby, was horrified to discover an intruder in one of the upstairs rooms.

The sneak-in thief, a youth in his late teens, made off through the bathroom window into the garden below, before heading towards Brook Street.

The occupant later discovered that a Rolex watch, worth £2,300, had been stolen.

The youth was wearing a striped top, khaki jacket and blue jeans and had short hair. The previous day, again at about 5pm, the shocked occupant of a house, in East View, Barlby, found a man in his conservatory.

When he questioned the intruder, he claimed to be "looking for someone."

After he disappeared, the householder discovered that a purse was missing.

The thief is described as in his early 20s, 5ft 6ins, and of medium build, with sandy hair. He was wearing jeans and a T-shirt.

Police are also investigating a burglary at a house, in Westbourne Gardens, Selby, where the raider gained entry via an insecure kitchen door.

The occupant found the door wide open and then realised the following day that his wallet had been stolen. Police said that some of the bank cards in the wallet had already been used.

On Wednesday night, burglars made off with a handbag, cash and credit cards after targeting a flat above a hairdressing salon, in Brook Street, Selby. Again, they gained entry via an insecure kitchen door.

In the early hours of Thursday, an insecure door again proved an easy target for thieves.

This time they struck at a house, in New Millgate, Selby, walking in through an unlocked rear door. Their haul included two mobile phones, a personal stereo and a purse.

Around the same time, burglars broke into a detached garage via the roof, in Westbourne Grove, Selby, but left empty-handed.

A police spokesman said some of the incidents could be linked. Anyone with information should phone Selby police on 01757 702596.

Updated: 12:27 Saturday, July 26, 2003