Raiders steal guns from Stocksfield cottage

But the raiders ripped the cabinet off the wall when they got into the home between 8.30am and 5.45pm, on Wednesday, and took the contents.

The arsenal includes a Parker Hale action rifle, a Marlin Under Leaver rifle, a Winchester 20-bore shotgun and an Aya Yeoman 12-bore shotgun.

Although the legally-owned guns were stored unloaded and no ammunition was taken, police are trying to trace them and get them off the streets, now they are in the hands of criminals.

Sgt Paul Armstrong said: "These guns are likely to be worth hundreds of pounds each.

"It is important we locate them as soon as possible to ensure they do not end up in the wrong hands." Officers are appealing to the public to help them find the weapons

Sgt Armstrong said: "We are keen for anyone who knows anything to contact police as soon as possible."

The thieves got into the cottage through its main door, although police found no sign of a forced entry.

Nothing else was taken from the home.

All the weapons are potentially lethal in the wrong hands

Anyone with any information is asked to call Prudhoe CID on 03456 043 043.

PAIR CHARGED OVER BURGLARIES

Two people have been charged in connection with a series of burglaries across Northumberland.

The men, aged 42 and 44 are both from the Newcastle area, and have been jointly charged with conspiracy to commit burglary.

The pair appeared before Tynedale Magistrates Court on Saturday and will appear before Newcastle Crown Court, next week.

Det Insp Steve Patrick, of Northumberland CID, said: "These arrests send a message out to those that are considering travelling into Northumberland with the sole intention of committing crimes that you will be caught."

The arrests come in the middle of Northumbria Police's Let's Draw a Line Under Crime Campaign.

The force-wide initiative, which runs until the end of August aims to tackle acquisitive crime, such as thefts robbery and burglary.