This is the moment three masked youths fled after smashing their way into a Perthshire family’s home with two young children inside.
The group threw a rock through the window of the house in Bridge of Earn on Sunday morning.
One of the males then climbed into the house as two children sat in the room next door.
They ran off after they were confronted by the owner of the house.
Police are hunting the youths after the incident on Forgandenny Road at around 9.45am.
Group wearing masks and hoods
The home’s owner, who asked not to be identified, says his kids – aged 12 and nine – took refuge in the utility room as the incident unfolded and have been left traumatised.
He told The Courier: “I was upstairs at the time when I heard the dog barking.
“The next thing I heard an almighty smash and I ran down the stairs.
“I came face to face with a masked and hooded guy in the sitting room.
“There were two others with hoods and masks outside the window looking in.”
The man says he shouted at the youth to get out, at which point they fled empty-handed.
He said: “I don’t know who got the bigger shock – me or him.
“My children were in the next room. I dread to think what could have happened.
The children have been traumatised since. My daughter couldn’t sleep last night
“My daughter grabbed her younger brother and the dog and got them moved to the safety of the utility room where she shut the three of them in.
“The children have been traumatised since. My daughter couldn’t sleep last night.
“This was absolutely terrifying for them. It’s the kind of thing you read in the papers or hear on the news it’s not something you think is ever going to happen to your own family in a place like Bridge of Earn.”
The man believes the three males were between the ages of 15 and 18.
‘I don’t know what they thought they were going to get’
He added: “I don’t know what they thought they were going to get. I also don’t think they expected anyone to be at home.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We received a report of a break-in to a property on Forgandenny Road near to Heughfield Road, Bridge of Earn, around 9.45am on Sunday.
“Three men were seen running from the area at the time.
“Inquires are ongoing and anyone with any information is asked to contact 101 quoting reference 1085 of January 29.”
