A late-night smash and grab was foiled when good samaritan neighbours scared thieves away by singing at them.

The moped-riding crooks crashed through a plate glass window at Anton Page Estate Agents, in Pear Tree Street, Finsbury, at around midnight on Monday.

But several people living upstairs heard the noise, went out of their balconies and started a football-terrace style chant to the scooter gang, telling them to clear off because they had called the police.

One neighbour, who asked not to be named, said; “I was just getting ready for bed and I heard this almighty banging sound.

“My cat was looking out of the window and I thought: ‘what’s she looking at’.

“I couldn’t believe what I was seeing – a group of boys smashing through the window with a huge lump of masonry.

“I started dialling the police at the same time I was shouting at them. Other neighbours were shouting too and at one point we were all chanting at them.

“I don’t think they could hear while they were breaking the window, but as soon as they stopped and started climbing through they could hear us because there were so many of us.

“They soon left and it looked like they were empty handed.

“I think we are all quite proud of what we did. I was a bit perturbed, but more angry that they thought they could just come here and do that.”

It is thought the thieves were after an Apple computer belonging to a design company who sublet some of the space from Anton Page.

One employee, who asked not to be named, said: “They drove through the glass window because we have shutters on both doors.

“They were after our Apple Mac – I suppose they thought for half an hour’s work they could get 500 quid from selling it. They did get in, but they didn’t get anything. It’s chained to the desk and we found it hanging off when we came in this morning.

“It makes a change that the people living upstairs got involved. It’s a good thing when people try to do something. I wonder if the gang had tried later they might had more time.

“But I don’t know when their bedtimes are.”

George Allen, former councillor in the area, said; “I am really pleased they reacted in that way. I’s worrying the gang are still out there though.”

Police confirmed they were called to reports of a burglary and found evidence of criminal damage. No arrests have been made, but Islington police continue to investigate.