A GANG of thieves smashed their way into a ground-floor flat in the middle of the day while terrorising a Good Samaritan who tried to stop them.

The trio were confronted by the man as they attempted to kick down the door of his neighbour’s home.

But when he demanded they leave, they turned on him, forcing him to barricade himself inside his own flat and call the police, as they tried to break down his door.

The terrifying incident happened on Market Street, Musselburgh, last Thursday, at about 12.30pm, while the resident of the flat initially targeted was at work. Police are hunting the culprits.

The men, who were described as in their late teens, arrived at the property and tried to smash their way in.

After the resident’s neighbour tried unsuccessfully to scare them off, they began kicking his door before turning their attentions back to the empty home.

Once they gained access they began ransacking the flat before leaving with some jewellery.

A relative of the woman whose home was broken into said it had been a “very distressing ordeal” for her.

He said: “She came home to find her flat had been boarded up by police and her belongings rumbled through.

“It is very distressing to think people came into her home like that, in broad daylight and with no thought for the effect it would have.

“She is very upset.” Police are appealing for information.

The three men were described as being white and all aged about 18-20 years old.

The first male was about 5ft 11in with a stocky build, dark hair and wearing grey cotton tracksuit bottoms and a white and blue horizontally striped t-shirt.

The second was 5ft 10in with a slim build and blondish hair. He was wearing a navy t-shirt and grey cotton tracksuit bottoms.

The third was about 5ft 6in tall of slim build with dark blondish/brown hair and wearing a grey tracksuit.

Inspector Andrew Harborow said: “Housebreakings are one of the most intrusive crimes we deal with and I am very keen that we trace these men and ensure they are brought to justice.

“I would like to take this opportunity to appeal to anyone who can help us with our investigation to get in touch on the non-emergency number 101 or speak to any police officer.” A GANG of thieves smashed their way into a ground-floor flat in the middle of the day while terrorising a Good Samaritan who tried to stop them.

The trio were confronted by the man as they attempted to kick down the door of his neighbour’s home.

But when he demanded they leave, they turned on him, forcing him to barricade himself inside his own flat and call the police, as they tried to break down his door.

The terrifying incident happened on Market Street, Musselburgh, last Thursday, at about 12.30pm, while the resident of the flat initially targeted was at work. Police are hunting the culprits.

The men, who were described as in their late teens, arrived at the property and tried to smash their way in.

After the resident’s neighbour tried unsuccessfully to scare them off, they began kicking his door before turning their attentions back to the empty home.

Once they gained access they began ransacking the flat before leaving with some jewellery.

A relative of the woman whose home was broken into said it had been a “very distressing ordeal” for her.

He said: “She came home to find her flat had been boarded up by police and her belongings rumbled through.

“It is very distressing to think people came into her home like that, in broad daylight and with no thought for the effect it would have.

“She is very upset.” Police are appealing for information.

The three men were described as being white and all aged about 18-20 years old.

The first male was about 5ft 11in with a stocky build, dark hair and wearing grey cotton tracksuit bottoms and a white and blue horizontally striped t-shirt.

The second was 5ft 10in with a slim build and blondish hair. He was wearing a navy t-shirt and grey cotton tracksuit bottoms.

The third was about 5ft 6in tall of slim build with dark blondish/brown hair and wearing a grey tracksuit.

Inspector Andrew Harborow said: “Housebreakings are one of the most intrusive crimes we deal with and I am very keen that we trace these men and ensure they are brought to justice.

“I would like to take this opportunity to appeal to anyone who can help us with our investigation to get in touch on the non-emergency number 101 or speak to any police officer.”