BURGLARS broke into a Sharples house and stole £13,000 worth of jewellery.

They struck in Oakworth Drive by sneaking through a side gate and kicking a panel out of a back door before heading for one of the bedrooms.

In there they found a large quantity of jewellery, which police estimate to be worth £13,000, and stole it.

The burglars escaped without being seen and police are now hunting for witnesses to the November 7 raid.

They also want to speak with anyone who may have been approached by someone trying to sell the items.

Among the haul stolen are bracelets, a silver necklace, watches, rings and a small quantity of cash.

The house had been thoroughly searched by the raiders.

Police do not know how many people were involved in the burglary as they have not had any descriptions passed over to them.

It is understood that the occupants of the house were out at the time of the burglary and called police when they returned home.

No arrests have been made as investigations continue.

A spokesman for Bolton North neighbourhood policing team said: "The incident was reported to us at 4.55pm on Sunday.

"The victim has provided photos of the jewellery stolen, and we need your help to locate the items.

"If you have seen any of the following items or they have tried to be sold to you please get in touch with us."

Police in north Bolton are currently waging war on burglars, with five men caught on just one night last week.

But detectives say burglary rates are still on the up in Bolton and are urging people to be extra vigilant in the run-in to Christmas.

Five suspects linked to Bolton burglaries were arrested overnight on December 2,

A concerted push to slash criminality in Halliwell and Crompton has been ongoing under the title Operation Spartan.

The police offensive against burglars and drug dealers saw a raid carried out in the early hours of December 3 at a house in Arnold Street, where officers arrested a 39-year-old man and found £3,000 of cannabis.

But police are also warning that other areas of the town remain at risk, with residents of Astley Bridge, Horwich, Heaton and Lostock specifically urged to be wary.

Anyone with information should contact police on 0161 856 5761 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.