WAKING up in the middle of the night with an intruder standing over your bed is the stuff of nightmares.

But it became a terrifying reality on Saturday for new Cairns resident David Tromp and his family - and has left them wondering whether a recent move from country Western Australia to the Far North was the right thing to do.

Mr Tromp said the incident had left his partner Nicole, who did not want to talk about the home invasion, traumatised

"She just wants to up and go," he said.

"She does not feel safe and with my kids going back to school she is worried about being on her own.

"Nothing like this has ever happened to us before."

Mr Tromp, who moved into his Isley St, Edmonton, house a little more than a week ago with Nicole and daughters Bianca, Tegan and Cherie, said he woke just after midnight on Saturday to find a man standing at the end of his bed.

The shocked Bobcat operator said he swore at the offender who ran out of the room after he leapt up and chased him.

But a naked Mr Tromp had to backtrack and put on some shorts.

"I then jumped in the car to try and find him," he said.

Mr Tromp said after calling 000 three police cars, including the canine unit, arrived.

Sen-Constable Russell Parker of the Cairns Crime Prevention office said the dogs picked up the scent and gave chase.

"The dog squad tracked a suspect to a nearby estate before losing the trail," he said.

"It is just unfortunate the offender got away."

The thief managed to escape with credit cards, keys and a necklace.

Mr Tromp said what made the incident even more frightening was that the intruder had clearly been in his eldest daughter's room as a new jacket had been taken from a wardrobe.

"That he had been into the room freaked everybody out," he said.

Sen-Constable Parker said while the house was locked the intruder had gained entry by lifting a sliding door off its rails.

"We would urge people if they have security screen doors to use them and key lock them rather than relying on a sliding or old-style door," he said.

It is understood a neighbour of Mr Tromp had his vehicles broken into about the same time as the
break-in.

Sen-Constable Parker said investigations were continuing.

Anyone with information should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit the website.

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