A TERRIFIED couple have been left shaken after a gang of crooks forced their way into their house and made off with around £5,000 in cash.

Cops are on the hunt for five unidentified men who carried out the brazen act in Spey Drive, in Renfrew, at around 7.30pm yesterday. 

The crooks also made off with a substantial quantity of jewellery.

The men were all dressed in dark clothing and had covered their faces. They are described as being white and speaking with Scottish accents.

Detectives believe the incident might be linked to a series of incidents across Renfrewshire on Tuesday. 

As well as the shocking robbery in Renfrew, a property in Patrickbank View, in Elderslie, was broken into between 4.20pm and 9.15pm and an item of jewellery was stolen from within. The property was unoccupied at the time.

An attempt was also made to force entry to a property at Stirling Gate in Linwood around 6.50pm the same evening. Entry was not gained and nothing was stolen.

Detective Inspector Robert Bowie said: "There are similarities between each of these incidents and we believe them to be linked.

"The incident in Renfrew is particularly shocking with the householders subjected to an extended ordeal in their own home while those responsible threatened and stolen from them.

"Our enquiries into all of these incidents are ongoing and I would urge anyone who may have seen any suspicious activity or vehicles operating in the area to come forward as soon as possible.

"We would also be interesting in speaking to anyone who was driving in any of these locations during Tuesday evening and may have dashcam footage which could assist our investigation."

Anyone with information can contact Police Scotland on 101 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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