A THIEF burgled a Cowley home while a resident was inside.

Thames Valley Police said a burglar entered the Normandy Crescent house through the front door on Thursday.

A stolen handbag was later discovered by a neighbour and returned.

A home in Water Eaton Road, North Oxford, was targeted between 8.30am and 5.30pm on the same day. Burglars forced open a kitchen window before ransacking the house, making off with an iPad, three bottles of champagne, clock radio and wicker basket.