POLICE are hunting a burglar who threatened a man and woman at knifepoint in the East Howe area of Bournemouth.

The intruder was fleeing from a flat in Kinson Road at about 8.05pm on Thursday November 18 when he was confronted by two neighbours who are both in their 20s.

PC Richard Skinner from Bournemouth police said: “The burglar was holding a kitchen knife and he threatened the neighbours with violence before jumping on a woman’s mountain bike and cycling off in the direction of East Howe Lane.”

He had earlier forced entry into the property through a patio door and helped himself to a laptop, iPods and a digital camera.

The raider, who spoke with a Scottish accent, is around six feet tall with a slim build and was wearing dark clothing including a balaclava and gloves. He was carrying a black rucksack and the laptop bag he had just stolen.

PC Skinner said: “I am appealing for witnesses and anyone with information about the man responsible to contact me as soon as possible. I’d also like to speak to anyone who saw a man riding a woman’s mountain bike in this area during the evening of November 18.”

• Witnesses and anyone with information should call 01202 222222 or the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555111.