A SNEAK in thief stole electrical equipment from a house in Tottington - and then set fire to the kitchen.

The break in at the property in Booth Street happened during an afternoon.

The thief came in through the back door and stole a video recorder, a DVD player and a Digital Sky receiver.

As the offender left, a fire was started in the kitchen which caused smoke damage to all the ground floor rooms.

Police are urging anyone who saw anything suspicious to call DC Prosser at Bury CID on 0161 856 8150 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.