POLICE believe a gang of masked men who drive an Audi may be responsible for housebreakings in Glasgow and the West. 

Several properties have been targeted in different locations over the last few days and now police have stepped up their hunt to find those responsible. 

The force said the men were seen acting suspiciously in Houston on Wednesday at around 6.50 pm. 

The pair had their faces covered with hoods up over their heads in the Murchison Road and Hewett Crescent area of Houston. 

One of the men was seen jogging past houses with a torch while the second was seen in the garden of a house. 

At one point one of the men was chased along Hewitt Crescent by an onlooker but he stopped and made threats in an effort to escape. 

At that point the man got in as a passenger to a white coloured Audi saloon car which then made off from the scene.

In a similar incident in Darnley's Haberlea Avenue on Sunday at 6.30 pm, a house was broken into with around £300 in cash and a quantity of jewellery stolen.

In another incident, on Monday in Ardrossan's Kirkhall Gardens another house was broken into and a large quantity of money was stolen. 

Three men all wearing balaclavas were spotted at the scene and a white Audi saloon car was seen in the area. 

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Detective Constable Ashley O'Neill, at Paisley CID, said: "The description we have of these two men in relation to the Houston incident is as follows.

"The first was around 5 ft 9 inches tall, of stocky build and was wearing a striped hooded top with alternating light and dark grey stripes. 

"The second man was also about 5 ft 9 inches tall, of medium build and was wearing a light brown hooded top and dark trousers. 

"Both men spoke with southern English accents. 

"I am appealing to anyone who may have seen or heard anything suspicious in the Houston area on Wednesday, or at any of the other locations to get in touch with us on the 101 number, quoting the reference number 3033 8 January 2020. 

"It may be the case that these incidents are linked and we asking anyone with any information which might be of assistance to get in touch.  

"Callers who wish to pass the information on and remain anonymous can do so through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."