Footage has emerged of a masked gang trying to gain entry to homes in Kilmarnock in the early hours of this morning.
The brazen crew of four can be seen attempting to enter houses on the Potteries estate – just off the Western Road – by trying door handles.
The group flee the scene on Margaret Park Avenue after being disturbed by something, with one would-be crook slipping on a patch of grass as he tries to sprint away.
The shocking footage was captured just after 2am today.
The resident that has the footage said that if the men got into homes, the situation could have had a horrible ending.
Michael Miller told the Kilmarnock Standard: "Waking up to find people like this coming around our homes in the dead of the night is scary.
"You should feel safe in your home and if your door wasn't locked last night and came down the stairs to be greeted by four of these people, it could have had a horrible ending.
"As an estate we have pulled together to share information and CCTV and are doing this with other estates who are suffering similar issues.
"Sadly, these people think they can just take from hard-working residents who have earned what they have got in life."
The incident comes weeks after a gang wearing balaclavas tried to enter homes on the nearby John Walker Estate.
Three individuals wearing the masks were found trying doors on Talisker Avenue at around 3am on Monday, January 13.
Police have reminded residents to make sure that windows and doors are locked.
Safer Communities officer PC Craig Marshall said: "We can confirm that reports have been made of suspicious activity around the Western Road area of Kilmarnock.
"We would encourage anyone that has witnessed suspicious activity to contact their locality policing team at Kilmarnock with the reference 0470 of the 29th."
