Passers-by who tried to stop Rawmarsh burglary were "threatened with knife"

Three men are said to have broken into a house on Chapel Walk, at about 5pm last Saturday, after arriving in a Cherokee Jeep, a police spokeswoman said.

"While inside the house, four men who were passing by reportedly heard the house alarm go off and went to intervene," said the spokeswoman.

"As the offenders fled the house, leaving empty-handed, they are said to have threatened the other four men with a knife and attempted to take their car."

The burglars fled down Harding Avenue in the direction of Thorogate and Monkwood, she added.

They were described as white, aged between 20 and 30 and were wearing black balaclavas.

No-one was injured in the incident and the occupants of the house were not in at the time, said the spokeswoman.

Officers are asking anyone who saw a group of men matching the description running from the area to contact them.

Anyone with information should call 101, quoting incident number 590 of January 4.

You can also pass information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.