AT least 30 cars have been damaged in a spate of vehicle crime in Church Hill, last weekend.

Cars were damaged at a number of addresses including Deans Close, Flanders Close, Fulbrook Close, Cleeve Close and Edgeworth Close.

Overnight on Friday and Saturday, March 5 and 6, offenders jumped on the bonnets of vehicles and a number of windscreens were smashed.

Pc Mark Broughton said: “The mindless damage that has been caused is very distressing for the owners.

“We are appealing to anyone with information about who might be responsible for these incidents to come forward as soon as possible.

“We are making every effort to track down those involved and provide some reassurance to the community. Extra officers have been deployed to mount high visibility patrols and we also have surveillance by plain clothes officers.”

People who do not have access to a garage are being advised to park in a well-lit spot, push radio aerials down, pull wing mirrors in and set the alarm if the car is fitted with one.

Valuables should also be removed from unattended vehicles.

Pc Broughton added: “In addition we have delivered letters to around 1,000 properties in the area informing them of the action we are taking which also includes using our stop and search powers and liaising with local youth workers who may be able to help us pinpoint who the culprits are and what is behind this.”

Anyone with any information should call Pc Broughton at Redditch (quoting incident no 0812-S-060310) on 0300 333 3000 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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