A nature lover who set up a back garden camera to film wildlife was shocked after it captured an unexpected form of nocturnal wildlife – a balaclava-clad burglar.

George Cope, 26, positioned the camera in his parents’ back garden in London to get a glimpse of the urban wildlife.

And he was delighted when it captured foxes and badgers.

But he got more than he bargained for when it spotted the man wearing the mask and gloves instead while the unknowing 26-year-old sat eating his dinner.

Mr Cope said: ‘We thought the badger was enough of a surprise, but they were shocked to see a man covered from head to toe, from a balaclava to gloves, within our back garden.

Expecting to capture all sorts of animals, that was all the camera spotted – at first

Foxes were caught roaming around as well as the odd badger which shed light wildlife goes on even in the middle of the night

But this took a turn when one evening the camera spotted a balaclava-wearing burglar wandering between the garden

The unexpected nocturnal visitor wore a balaclava mask and gloves as he strolled through the garden

George Cope, 26, positioned the camera in his parents’ back garden in London to get a glimpse of the urban wildlife

‘He must have jumped the fences to get into our back garden and can be seen snooping around the shed, looking over fences and looking for opportunities. 

‘What came as a further shock is that he was in the garden around 7pm, only 20 minutes after I had set up the camera trap on the very same day. 

‘Whilst we were enjoying a family meal, he was wandering the garden.’ 

Mr Cope handed the footage to police.

He shared on a social media post: ‘A stark reminder that in London, you’re not just sharing your space with wildlife.

‘Thankfully, my parents are safe, and nothing was stolen. The footage was handed to the police. But it’s a chilling reality check: sometimes, the most unsettling thing caught on camera isn’t an animal at all.’