Break-in causes over £2,000 of damage

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MORE than £2,000 worth of damage was caused by burglars after they targeted an Alvechurch home.

The house on Green Lane, which was broken into sometime between 10.30am and 12.40pm last Friday (October 12), had a window smashed and several doors were damaged, costing £2,500 in total.

Money, jewellery and several cameras were also stolen, but full details are still to be confirmed.

Police are now making house-to-house inquiries in the area and are looking into whether or not the burglary may be linked to a series of break-ins in Rowney Green and Barnt Green, in recent weeks.

Det Con Adam Pugh, of West Mercia Police, said the rural locations of the burglaries suggested the offenders may be using a vehicle. He added the thieves also took smaller items which can be easily removed.

"We are keen to hear from anyone who saw anything suspicious in the Alvechurch area on Friday morning, including details of any vehicles the offenders may have been using. Even if information seems insignificant, we urge people to pass it on."

Last month West Mercia Police launched Citadel, a new scheme aimed at driving down the number of burglaries committed across the West Mercia area.

A spokesman for the force said: "Most burglaries are carried out by opportunistic thieves who are looking for the easiest way of getting into a house without being seen or disturbed, so householders are being reminded of the importance of keeping doors and windows locked."

He added by turning on lights at dusk, trimming hedges back so homes can be easily seen from the road and securing side gates will also deter burglars.

Witnesses or anyone with information should call Det Con Pugh on 0300 333 3000 quoting incident 289-s-121012 or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

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