LOCAL residents are being warned after CCTV footage captured images of five men in balaclavas apparently attempting to steal cars and burgle homes in the Cottingley area on Bradford in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

The incident, which saw officers rushed to the area and a NPAS (National Police Air Service) helicopter deployed to help with the search, occurred at approximately 3.42am on Wednesday on Woodside Crescent.

"I got several intrusion detection alerts from my CCTV," said a local resident.

"I looked outside and spotted five guys in balaclavas trying to break into my house but when I turned my light on they ran off."

However, he said that was not enough to stop them as he said they continued to move down the street trying to break into other cars and houses.

"I saw them shine a torch into a car and then try to use a weapon to get into the vehicle.

"I know they broke into two cars," said the resident, who added that one of the victims who had their car broken into knew two of the suspects and said they were from the Woodroyd area of Bradford.

"There was a helicopter out and there were police out investigating and at least two of them had dogs.

"The suspects eventually ran off through the woods at the end of Woodside Crescent.

"I've got CCTV video footage but the police haven't got back to me. At the time, they told me to go inside while they carried out their search.

"It was very scary for local families who have kids."

A West Yorkshire Police spokesperson said officers and the NPAS helicopter carried out a search "to no gain".