A city family say they have been left terrified after finding a man hiding in their garden.

Homeowners in Half Mile Road in NR3 claim they were left shaken earlier this week after a man was spotted by their 11-year-old son jumping over their garden fence.

The family lives in Half Mile Road in NR3The family lives in Half Mile Road in NR3 (Image: Google)

The homeowner, who wanted to remain anonymous, said: "It happened at about 7.40pm on Tuesday evening. 

"My son was out the front of the house with his friend and he came running into the house and told us to check the garden as a man had just jumped over the fence.

"My husband and I rushed outside to look and couldn't see anyone, but then our dog started barking.

"There he was, standing behind where we have an outside bar."

The homeowner claims that the man initially refused to leave when asked.

She added: "He said that people were looking for him and were after him.

"I was shaking and felt frightened but I just felt the need to protect my son."

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Eventually, the man relented and left the garden through the side gate.

However, the experience has left a bitter aftertaste.

The homeowner said: "I was completely shocked and have since felt so uneasy and unsettled. 

Police were also called to an incident in Shorncliffe Avenue at a similar timePolice were also called to an incident in Shorncliffe Avenue at a similar time (Image: Norfolk Constabulary)

"It has affected our son too, as he is now very frightened and worried that we're not safe and that the man will come back.

"It makes me angry that he feels like this and I'm angry that this man thought it was OK to enter our property."

The family called the incident in to the police, and were told it was potentially linked to another incident in the nearby Shorncliffe Avenue.

A spokeswoman for Norfolk police confirmed that they received a report on Tuesday evening that the stranger had been caught on the property, and that no crime was recorded as they left when asked.

Norfolk police also confirmed that officers were called to Shorncliffe Avenue at 7.42pm on Tuesday evening following reports of people fighting at a residential address.