A TERRIFIED family is appealing for people to help police trace hooded thugs who tried to kick their way into their home.

The 40-year-old father, who lives with his with his wife and three young children, spoke of his family’s fear.

The man, aged 40, who wishes to remain anonymous, said his five-year-old daughter cried for a whole day after the incident.

He told how he was awoken at around 5.45am on Saturday by loud banging. CCTV later revealed three men or teenage boys, all with their faces covered, trying to kick through the front door.

The footage also shows a red Toyota Avensis patrolling the area for five minutes before the masked thugs check to see if the front door is unlocked then start kicking it.

They were disturbed and ran off, but minutes later one of them returned and attempted to kick down the door again.

The father said: “It was very, very frightening. Everybody was very scared.”

He said he ran downstairs to check all his windows and doors were closed but the banging continued.

“I pretended to be on the phone to police, hoping they would hear and run off,” said the father.

Meanwhile his wife, still upstairs called the police, and managed to take down the registration number of the car.

He added: “Usually my daughter is always happy and smiling, but now she is scared.

“She doesn’t know what is happening.She cried all day and has tummy ache which won’t stop.”

Police confirmed they were called to the Albert Street property shortly before 5.45am on Saturday to reports of a disturbance.

A spokesman said: “Three men arrived outside a property on the street and attempted to force open a door.

“The men were disturbed and fled the scene.

“Anyone with information should call police on 101, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.”