A mother said her privacy was violated after a prowler was caught on camera outside her home.

Alex Hasselkuss added she was headed to bed at about 11.30pm when she read reports of a prowler in the area on a neighbourhood WhatsApp chat.

She added: “The messages prompted us to look at our cameras.

“We saw he had been there at about 9.40pm – he had already left by that time.

“Overall it gives you a creepy feeling to know they have been that close – he had been right up to the windows.

“He appeared to be scoping out the house. We have two dogs so he must have been very quiet.

“Especially as a mother – we have two teenage daughters – it is unsettling having someone peering in to your house.’

“It’s a violation of your privacy - I didn’t sleep well last night.”

Ms Hasselkuss, 47, on Wednesday posted footage of the prowler captured on security cameras at her house on Tankfield Hill, Paget on Facebook.

She said she planned to install more cameras around her home and implement more security measures.

Another woman said in the comments section on Ms Hasselkuss’s post that the same man had come into her kitchen, but that she had scared him off.

She added the prowler had walked into her house at about 10.30pm and tried to steal her handbag.

She wrote: “He just opened my unlocked kitchen door and came in.

“I thought it was just my dog nudging the door, so finished texting my friend before I got up to investigate. Just found a random stranger in my kitchen.”

She added she had “yelled full fury at him and chased him out and he dropped my handbag as he fell trying to jump the gate”.

Police confirmed that there had been other reports of burglaries and prowlers at homes in the surrounding area.

A senior officer yesterday appealed to the public not to share images of prowlers and housebreakers on social media.

Detective Superintendent Nicholas Pedro warned that the pictures could hinder police investigations – and tip-off culprits to get rid of evidence.

He told the public: “While you may think it helpful, please refrain from posting on social media, images or videos of possible criminal activity around your home.

“Not only can posting these images to social media lead to legal issues should a suspect be arrested and brought to court, but it may also alert a suspect that they are being sought and lead them to dispose of items such as the clothing seen in those images or other property which could associate them with a specific crime.”

A police spokesman said police had been given video footage from several locations that featured the same man.

Mr Pedro said anyone in the area of the parish’s White Sands Road who may have been targeted should contact police.

He also highlighted basic precautions to avoid becoming the victim of a break-in.

A good way to start is by addressing simple measures such as ensuring the locks on your windows and other access points are properly installed and functioning as well as that outdoor lighting is properly secured and in good working order,“ he said.

“Installing motion activated outside lighting, installing or refreshing existing alarm systems and/or CCTV helps in target hardening your property and can certainly go a long way in deterring criminals from selecting your premises.

“In addition, if you see suspicious activity or persons around your premises, make note of the individual or individuals and contact the police immediately.”

Mr Pedro added that householders should contact a security company for advice or Inspector Scott Devine at 717-2180 or by e-mail to sdevine@bps.bm for the contact details of the appropriate Community Action Team officer.

People can also check out the police YouTube channel, Bermuda Police TV, at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0D1U89lJaA&t=9s for burglary prevention tips.