A CAR was stolen after burglars broke into a Downley house while the homeowner was still inside the property.

Keys, bank cards, a purse and cash were all also stolen during the burglary in Brunel Road last week, police said.

Officers investigating the break-in say it took place between midnight on Thursday 20 and 8am on Friday 21. The front door was forced open and the offence carried out while the 28-year-old female householder was upstairs and unaware the house had been broken into.

A black Ford Fiesta, with a registration number of X228 ROF, was stolen from the street outside the house.

Thames Valley Police have today made an appeal for information to help catch the culprits. Anyone with information should call the Thames Valley Police 24-hour non-emergency single number 101 and ask to speak to PC Gemma Brown, or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.