A MAN was caught trying to break into the home of a sharp-witted pensioner in Auchenback.

The thief had snuck round to the back door of an elderly woman's house in Auburn Drive when he was stopped firmly in his tracks.

After hearing noises outside, the homeowner had the presence of mind to go out her front door and managed to catch the thief red-handed.

The pensioner, who is thought to be in her 70s, then chased the man off with help from a neighbour who had heard her shouts.

Police are aware of the incident which took place at around 5pm on Thursday, August 18.

Deputy chief inspector Alan Dickson said: "If you know anything about this incident, please contact police via 101 or drop into Barrhead Police Station."

The attempted break-in came just days after thieves raided a 66-year-old woman's home in Barrhead and made off with £1,000 of gold jewellery.

Last week The News told how the pensioner, who lives in Netherton Drive, was left badly shaken by the traumatic event.

It is understood the woman returned home from work at around 10.30pm on Tuesday, August 9 when she discovered the precious items had been taken.

The woman, who did not want to be named, said: "I didn't come home until 10.30pm. I'd sat down, had my tea, and saw a scarf lying on the sink unit and it shouldn't have been there.

"That's when I went up stairs to find drawers pulled out, my case out the wardrobe and two cases of jewellery stolen. I don't know how they got in.

"The back door might not have been locked because that's the way they came out. They never touched anything else in the house, just the gold jewellery.

"My grandson's gardening tools were sitting in my hall and they never touched them."

The pensioner's daughter admitted the incident was "very concerning" for her elderly mother.

She said: "They took nearly £1,000 of various gold jewellery.

"I don't think any of her neighbours saw anything suspicious but it's very concerning as she lives alone."

The week previously, on Thursday, August 4, an elderly couple's Arthurlie Street home was robbed while they relaxed in the garden.

It is believed an opportunist thief jumped over a fence and entered the property through an unlocked back door at around 3.30pm.

An iPad and other items were said to have been taken from the house.

Anyone with information about any of these incidents is asked to contact police on the non-emergency 101 number or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be given anonymously.