West Lothian pensioners 'unable to sleep' after prowler caught 'trying back door'

Elderly West Lothian residents have been left "unable to sleep" after a hooded figure was caught on camera allegedly trying the handle of their back door during the night.

The prowler was spotted during the early hours of Wednesday morning, November 27, just days after Sinead Dunsmore's grandparents installed their Ring doorbell camera.

While the couple were asleep in their home on Bathgate's Hill Crescent, a figure was seen walking down the steps at their front door and along the path to the back of the home.

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The person, believed to be male, allegedly tried the handle of their back door, as Sinead issued a warning to nearby residents to stay vigilant. Sinead, 37, claims her 85-year-old grandparents are now "scared to sleep" following the frightening discovery.

She said: "They only got their ring doorbell installed last week so it’s the first time they’ve seen something like this.

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"One of the neighbours said they’ve seen prowlers a few times over the past few weeks. My grandparents are now really worried and are having trouble sleeping. Many of the neighbours are elderly and live alone so have no way of protecting themselves against intruders.

"Most of the residents in the street are elderly and vulnerable so they’re all a bit shaken up and on edge now."

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "We received a report of two men acting suspiciously in the Hill Crescent area of Bathgate around 8.05am on 27 November, 2024. Enquiries are ongoing."

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