A BURGLAR armed with a knife was caught in the act by police after smashing his way into a Bromsgrove house.

Neighbours alerted police to a man seen with a torch at the house on College Road in the early hours of Wednesday morning (September 4), knowing the homeowners were away on holiday.

An initial surveillance from officers arriving at the scene at around 1am observed a man in the upstairs of the property with a torch.

After waiting for back-up, they entered through the back door, which the suspect had smashed to gain entry, and arrested him.

The man was found in possession of a Stanley knife and stolen property.