Appeal on CCTV burglars

These two would-be burglars are about to try to break into a South Staffordshire home.

But security-conscious homeowners in Wombourne stopped them in the act by catching them on CCTV.

Midway through their mission, one of the thieves spots the camera and tampers with it, but ends up performing a priceless pose for the camera that could eventually prove his downfall.

Today Staffordshire Police released the images of the attempted break-in in Wombourne, where several homes have been targeted by burglars who also steal car keys.

They hope one of our readers will recognise the thieves and shop them. This attempted burglary took place in Holendene Way on March 10, between 4.50pm and 9.20pm. The intruders managed to move the camera and caused damage to a security light, but they got away empty handed.

On the same day, between 3.15pm and 8.30pm, a house in Bramble Wood, also in Wombourne, was burgled. 

Thieves used a ladder to get through a first floor window and made off with cash.

Police say they are keeping an open mind as to whether the two incidents are linked.

Officers revealed earlier this week they are investigating more than 50 car key burglaries in the south of the county.

Organised gangs are being blamed for the crimewave, which sees many vehicles being stolen to order, sold on with new number plates and identification numbers and shipped off to foreign destinations such as China and India.

Homes in Wombourne, Codsall, Wolverhampton, Cannock and Tipton have been targeted in the last few weeks, with vehicles worth hundreds of thousands of pounds being taken.

Detectives say they are hunting gangs who are targeting homes with high-performance vehicles parked outside such as Porsches, Subaru Imprezas, BMWs and Audis.

Vehicles of lower value have also been stolen and used as “runarounds” to transport gangs from crime to crime.

Anyone with any information on the latest two burglaries is asked to contact DS Neil Poultney, Priority Crime Unit on 08453 302 010 ext 4216 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.