A SCHOOLBOY has been left traumatised after witnessing masked men fleeing a robbery.

The 11-year-old has been suffering from terrifying nightmares and says he fears they will target him next.

The boy, who were are not naming to protect him, witnessed three masked raiders running from a property in Kirkhall Gardens on Monday, January 6.

The boy saw the thieves running towards their getaway car and, terrified they would try to rob his home, ran and locked his front door and called police.

The brave youngster said: “My mum had just nipped to the shop and I heard a car outside. I thought it was mum back, but when I looked out just seen men in what looked like balaclavas and they were running towards my house. I was absolutely terrified they were coming for me. I just ran downstairs and locked the door straight away then I called the police.”

The youngster’s 34-year-old mum came home minutes later to find her son distressed and panicking.

She said: “He was absolutely terrified. He was just crying his eyes out. I couldn’t believe it when he told me what happened. He hasn’t slept properly since. He is having nightmares and is terrified they will come for him, it’s been really upsetting.”

The masked men broke in to the house in Kirkhall Gardens for the second time in three months.

Police are now hunting the raiders after they forced their way into the house sometime between 4pm and 7pm on Monday, January 6.

A sum of cash worth a low four figure sum was stolen.

The smash and grab comes just 10 weeks after the family were first targeted on October 22.

In that break in four or five men forced their way into the family home and threatened an 11-year-old girl before making off with cash, jewellery and personal items.

A police spokesman confirmed to the Herald the two attacks were on the same property.

He said: “It’s the same property that was targeted in October. Enquiries are still ongoing into both incidents. Officers are keeping an open mind as to the links between the two incidents.”

Enquiries into the most recent attack have established three men were seen in the area around the time with balaclavas or a similar item covering their faces.

They left the area in a white car.

Detective Sergeant Stephen McCulloch of Ayrshire CID said: “Enquiries are ongoing into this break-in and we would urge anyone with information which could help to come forward.

“In particular we would be keen to speak to anyone who may have seen three men or a white car in the area at any time to let us know.

“If anyone has dashcam footage or private CCTV from yesterday afternoon, I would ask they review the footage and pass anything of note on to us.

“Any information can be passed to police by calling 101, quoting incident 2933 of 6 January, or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”