ELDERLY residents are living in fear of a mystery ‘sniper’ firing shots at their block of flats with an airgun.

In the last few weeks at least four windows on a building in Nelson Street have had to be replaced because of ball bearings raining down on them.

But more incidents are believed to have gone unreported and some residents living in the building there are now too scared to leave their own house.

Now police officers are sending out their own warning shot to those responsible.

Angry resident Stuart Munn, 65, of Nelson Street, said: “My window has been hit twice.

“I have told my grandchildren not to go in to the kitchen. I am the youngest person living in here, there is an 87-year-old woman and she is scared as well.

“It has happened lots of times now, they have even hit the cars as well. It all started during the Easter holidays.”

The last reported incident was on Friday morning, when landlords Cloch Housing had to come out to replace another window.

One elderly couple who live in the block even cancelled a trip to a concert because they were scared to leave their house.

Police officers and residents believe they have narrowed down the area where the gun is being fired from and they have stepped up patrols and are now looking for help from the public.

Constable Tracey Knox said: “We are reviewing CCTV footage and we are appealing for help from the public to catch thee person responsible for this.

“It is right next door to the Ardgowan Hospice.

“The elderly residents are frightened and don’t want to come out the house.

“These BB guns have the potential to cause harm and could really hurt someone. We are determined to get those responsible for this.”

The police and the wardens have already spoken to the victims and some of the other residents to offer reassurance but would like to appeal to anyone else who may have had their window smashed to come forward and speak to them by calling 101.