THREE intruders were caught on CCTV attempting to break into a house before setting off the alarm and escaping through neighbours’ gardens.

The trio were recorded during the evening of Thursday, February 23 as they tried to gain access to the property in Deane while the occupants were out.

According to Khadija Kathrada, the owner of the home in Edstone Close, one jumped the gate to the back garden and unlocked it to let the other two through.

The three were standing in the garden for around 10 minutes before trying to break in through the conservatory door at the back of the property.

This set off the alarm and the intruders escaped by jumping a fence into a neighbour’s garden.

Mrs Kathrada, who lives with her 27-year-old husband Ahmed, said she was out on a training course when the incident happened and Mr Kathrada was also out.

She said: “I was really shocked but I was just glad they didn’t get in.

“If it wasn’t for our security systems they could have got in and taken our personal things. It was quite shocking.”

The three were all wearing hoodies and one was wearing a balaclava while the others had their faces uncovered.

The CCTV footage also shows them looking at the cameras before turning them around so they were not pointed at them.

Mr Kathadra owns Bolton firm ADK Security, which sells home security systems to homeowners, including CCTV and alarms.

Mrs Kathadra, a hair and make-up artist, said the incident showed how important it was to install an alarm to keep homes safe.

She said: “It looked like they were a bit amateur but I think it does show how important it can be to have an alarm and cameras to protect your home’s security.

“Without the alarm going off they could have gone in and stolen all of our personal possessions.”

The attempted burglary has been reported and the CCTV footage has been handed over to the police by Mr Kathadra.

The couple have also visited their neighbours to let them know about the incident and to warn them about keeping their properties secure.

A police spokesman said: “Police were called at around 8pm on Thursday, 23 February, 2017 to reports of an attempted burglary on Edstone Close, Deane.

“An investigation has been launched and inquiries are ongoing.”

Anyone with information should call 101 quoting reference number 2120 of 28/02/17 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.