A man was disturbed trying to break in to a house in Pukehina last night.

Police were called to the Pukehina Parade home just after 6pm after the man was disturbed and ran away.

A man was disturbed trying to break into a Pukehina home overnight.

Police say the occupants of the house were home when the man attempted to gain access to the property.

It's believed the alleged offender ran onto the beach and was heading north after he fled from the property.

Police dogs were called in to help search for the alleged offender.

Police managed to recover property that the man had dumped when he ran.