Warning to all walkers

POLICE are reiterating a warning to walkers not to leave handbags in cars at beauty spots after further thefts from the Lickey Hills near Bromsgrove. A handbag was taken from a Ford Fiesta between 10am and 11.35pm on Saturday, November 6. Three handbags were also stolen from a Skoda Octavia estate between 2.50pm and 4.05pm on Sunday, November 7. Both vehicles were parked near the visitor centre in Warren Lane, and the handbags were taken from the boots. In the incident involving the Ford Fiesta, a window was smashed causing £100 damage. The bag contained £50 cash, a mobile phone worth £70, a driving licence, various bank cards, and a set of house keys. Details are still being obtained of the property stolen from the Skoda. Crime risk manager PC Stan Baker said: “Despite huge efforts by police to warn people that these areas are hotspots for vehicle crime, we are still seeing handbags and other valuables being stolen. “We believe these offences are mostly committed by opportunist thieves and we are encouraging motorists to do all that they can to help deter this type of crime by removing their valuables from their cars whenever they leave them unattended. “It’s not enough simply to move items such as handbags out of sight into the boot or conceal them under seats as offenders may be watching. “Instead we recommend people bring only the essential items with them and take these with them when they go for their walk.” Witnesses or anyone with information about the thefts can call 0300 333 3000 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111. Police are particularly keen to hear from anyone witnessing any suspicious activity around parked cars, ideally as they see it happening.