Chilling moment a prolific burglar is caught on CCTV trying to break into a home while a family slept inside

Tom Knighton, 29, was woken by iPhone app that messaged at midnight
Went back through CCTV and saw hooded character trying door handle
Third time someone tried to break into his Worcester home in two weeks
Prolific crook is trying door handles in the area and grabbing what he can

Published: 12:13 GMT, 22 November 2016 | Updated: 13:18 GMT, 22 November 2016

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CCTV captured these chilling images of a sinister, hooded figure trying to break into a family home as they slept soundly upstairs.

Last Tuesday Tom Knighton, 29, was awoken by messages automatically sent to his iPhone by a motion detector camera set up by the front door of his Worcester home.

He was shocked when he watched the CCTV footage back to see a the prolific burglar approaching his property and attempting to open the door.

Chilling CCTV footage has captured a prolific burglar trying to break into a home as a family slept inside during one of a spate of opportunistic thefts

Tom Knighton, 29, was asleep in his house when a motion detection camera sent a message to his iPhone which woke him up and this is what was revealed on in footage fro his CCTV

The suspected crook has been striking in Worcester for the past few weeks by trying door handles in the area and, if unlocked, grabbing what he can.

Mr Knighton said it was third time in two weeks that someone had tried to break in to his home in the Claines area of the city between midnight and 1.20am.

Yesterday he said: 'We were in the house when it happened on Tuesday and Wednesday morning.

'I looked outside but nobody was out there and when I checked on the recording I could see a man had tried the door and I called the police straight away.

'He's not just doing it to my house, I think he is trying everyone's house but I happen to have a video camera right on my front door.

'Luckily, my property is quite secure so I wouldn't imagine he would be able to get in but the fact of the matter is I have my wife and 15-month-old baby at home.

Mr Knighton said it was third time in two weeks that someone had tried to break in to his home in the Claines area of Worcester

'I was shocked when I saw the footage.

'Hopefully someone will be able to recognise him as he has quite a distinctive nose in the pictures.

'One person I spoke to walks his dogs between 12am and 1am sometimes and he spotted someone in a hoodie riding a pushbike who looked like he was up to no good.'

The spate of burglaries are thought to have been carried out by a 6ft tall white man who may have been riding a white or yellow mountain bike.

Superintendent Kevin Purcell, from West Mercia Police, confirmed there had been a spike in incidents in the area last week.

He added: 'If you see someone suspicious in a neighbour's garden or around the area make sure you report it.

'In view of what we are dealing with, report it on 999 if you see someone suspicious coming out of a neighbour's house with goods if you don't recognise them.'

A spokeswoman for West Mercia Police said: 'Police were made aware of an incident at a property on Fairbairn Avenue in Worcester around 12.15am on Tuesday, November 15.

The spate of burglaries are thought to have been carried out by a 6ft tall white man who may have been riding a white or yellow mountain bike

'It follows reports of a man acting suspiciously outside the property.

'A member of the local SNT attended - providing reassurance and security advice to the occupants.

'The following evening police were called to reports of a man outside the same property around 12.40am.

'It is understood he tried to enter the property but the door was locked.

'Investigations are ongoing and officers are keen to speak to people who saw anyone acting suspiciously in the area at the time of the incident.'

Anyone with information is asked to call West Mercia Police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111 quoting incident number 013S of November 16.