The unidentified youths have been uploading video compilations for more than six months featuring a spree of anti-social behaviour — including banging on windows and doors, trampling through private gardens, and throwing objects at homes and vehicles.

One clip — viewed hundreds of times on video sharing website YouTube — shows the group pelting passing buses and cars with snow balls outside St Mark’s Primary school.

The footage — brought to the attention of The News by an anxious resident — shows the youngsters targeting homes across of Auchenback and Springhill.

The resident, who did not wish to be identified, said: “The community is full of vulnerable and elderly people who get scared when a gang of youths is running amok in their front garden, and even if these kids just think this is fun and games, this is a very stupid thing they are doing, and to upload it to YouTube is just the height of stupidity.

“They need to be held to account, and realise that what they are doing isn’t big, or funny.” Barrhead Police say officers are investigating reports of anti-social behaviour and vandalism in the area — but have not connected the incidents to the online footage.

Chief Inspector Angela Carty said: “We are aware of reports of anti-social behaviour in the area and we are stepping up our patrols as a result.

“We will be exploring every avenue to make sure that this behaviour does not continue, we also appreciate the concern of residents in this matter.” However, officers have been urged to speak to the youngsters concerned before their behaviour descends into ‘something more serious’.

Rosaleen Reilly, Barrhead Community Council chairwoman, speaking in a personal capacity, told The News: “It might just seem like harmless fun to them but they need to take responsibility for their actions.

“They don’t seem to realise the possible repercussions of what they are doing.

“What if an elderly resident was to fall, or god forbid take a heart attack or something similar because they got a fright?

“The youngsters are very easily identified from the video and they have made no effort to conceal their identities.

“I hope that campus police and parents can work together to stop this kind of behaviour before it becomes something more malicious.” Police are probing a number of broken windows and vandalisms in the Auchenback area, with the latest taking place at St John’s Church on Aurs Road.

Windows were smashed at the church last weekend with eye witnesses saying a group of youngsters aged between 12 and 15 were responsible.

Chief Inspector Carty has now called on the public to report any concerns. She said: “We would welcome any information from witnesses or residents who could assist us in our enquiries. Anyone with information should contact us on 101.” It is not known if the youths in the video clips are connected to the vandalism at the church, but the chairman of East Renfrewshire Neighbourhood Watch, Tom Taylor, feels more needs to be done to identify the youngsters.

Mr Taylor told the News: “At least seven youths are making life ‘difficult’ for locals.

“Imagine sitting in your lounge and the fright you would get when all of your windows and doors are being banged. If these youths are not spoken to they will think that this is acceptable and their behaviour may get worse.

“If there were actual community cops working and ‘walking’ in the area they would know the identify the youths straight away.” The videos appear to have been filmed by one member of the group on a mobile phone before the short clips have been compiled into videos up to five minutes long.

One video, entitled A Day With The Boys, which shows six of the youngsters running amok in Auchenback, and has amassed almost 200 views.

In it youngster can be seen giving ‘the finger’ to the camera before running up to a door with a friend, rapping his knuckles against the door while his pal hits the window of the Auchenback home.

Dance music accompanies each video and they encourage watchers to ‘like’ and share the clips.

The account, called ScottishPlayers01, also features videos of Celtic Football Club fans and recordings from popular football computer game FIFA.

Another video shows a number of the gang ‘prank calling’ a local takeaway in a seven minute video, where the youngster featured claims he has been made ill by a curry bought from the shop, before swearing at shop staff.

In another clip — uploaded last month after the most recent snow fall — the gang attack a silver taxi before running off when it stops and turns towards them.

Anyone with any information relating to anti-social behaviour is urged to contact the police by calling 101, or CrimeStoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.