A TEENAGER'S laptop, which stored preparation work she had done for an English assessment, was stolen during a spate of vehicle thefts in Astwood Bank.

The laptop, one of two stolen overnight between Monday, January 20 and Tuesday, January 21, was used by the 15-year-old girl for her GCSEs.

The girl’s mother said: “She uses the laptop as she has dypraxia which affects her co-ordination and fine motor skills, including writing. The use of a laptop has been a real life line to her.”

In total there were 11 thefts from vehicles and one theft of a vehicle.

The thefts from vehicles happened in High Street, Dewsbury Close, Foregate Street, Weston Hill Close, Badger Brook Lane, Avenue Road, Priest Meadow Close, Chestnut Road (two offences) and Butler Street (two offences).

Some of the vehicles had been left unlocked.

Items stolen included sat navs, laptops, and cameras.

The theft of a vehicle happened in New Road. Two youths were seen pushing a green Land Rover, registration number L15 GDC, off the drive.

The thefts follow a warning from officers about an increase in the number of vehicles attacked on South West district, including Astwood Bank, but also Crabbs Cross and Webheath, since November.

Local policing officer for Redditch South West, PC Richard Waterhouse said patrols had been increased.

He said: “Owners need to make sure they always lock their vehicles and remove all valuables.

“It is also important residents are vigilant and ring police if they see people acting suspiciously.

"We are urging them to have a glance out of the window before going to bed, or if they get out of bed during the night as they may have been disturbed by a noise from outside without realising it.

“Always ring 999 immediately if a crime is believed to be in progress.”

There is more information available within the advice section of West Mercia’s website at westmercia.police.uk including a 'Stop - All Valuables Have Been Removed' postcard to download and display in the windscreen.

Witnesses or anyone with information about vehicle crime are asked to contact police on the non-emergency number 101 or ring the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or crimestoppers-uk.org.