A BROMSGROVE couple were shocked when they returned to their house in Birmingham Road, Marlbrook, to find a burglar in their home.

The male occupier, who has not been named, chased after the offender who managed to escape, police believe, in the direction of the Hilton hotel.

A spokeswoman for Bromsgrove police said the raider is white, 5ft 9ins tall, slim, and aged about 30.

He has brown/blond hair parted in the centre and was wearing a blue tracksuit top and jeans. She added it is thought he fled empty handed.

The incident happened at about 4.35pm on Tuesday, October 9

Bromsgrove police are presently engaged in Operation Hawkeye, an initiative specifically aimed at reducing the number of burglaries and increasing detection rates.

"Burglary is a crime that makes people feel violated and distressed.

"This type of crime is always a priority for this division, however Operation Hawkeye focuses attention by having high-visibility policing, focused roadside stop checks and gathers intelligence information," the spokeswoman said.

Anyone with information about the burglary in Marlbrook should contact the police at Bromsgrove on (01527) 584888.

Last Thursday night police in Bromsgrove carried out Operation Victory following a recent spate of burglaries at commercial premises in the district.

Two men from the West Midlands were arrested on suspicion of burglary as a result of the operation. A search warrant was executed in properties in Oldbury and a small quantity of heroin was recovered along with some computers.