This is the moment a troop of mischievous monkeys scales buildings and steals crops, causing chaos in the small town they invade.

Footage shows the primates climbing over rooftops in Daxin County, Guangxi, China, on November 26.

Another clip captures them raiding a farmer's home for corn on November 9.

Residents say that hundreds of macaques, led by adults with their young ones, descend from the nearby Encheng Nature Reserve every autumn. They dig up crops like cassava, sugarcane, and citrus, leaving plantations in ruins.

Local official Mr Zhao said: 'They've become rampant, with groups numbering over 100 ruining our harvests.'

Authorities from the Daxin County Forestry Bureau confirmed they are aware of the issue and have reported it to higher authorities.

They plan to take action under the Wildlife Protection Law to manage the growing macaque population.

Monkeys, like other animals, may act aggressively when they feel threatened. Risks from monkey bites or scratches include serious infections, the herpes B virus, and rabies.