POLICE are appealing for witnesses and help to trace a stolen Ford Focus.

A description has been released of a man seen acting suspiciously outside a neighbouring property in Shireland Lane, Brockhill, where a failed attempt was made to break in.

Detectives are linking the incidents which happened the same night.

The car that was stolen is a blue Ford Focus ST – registration BF63 ZYD – which was taken from the driveway after the owner’s home was broken into between 10.45pm on Wednesday, March 12 and 5.30am Thursday, March 13.

The failed break-in was at a nearby property where an almost identical car was parked outside. At just after midnight a man in his late teens or early 20s was seen acting suspiciously near that vehicle.

He was described as being about 6ft, of slight build and was wearing a navy or black Helly Hansen or Berghaus, Harrington-style jacket and either trainers or Converse pumps.

Detective Constable Mark Lazenby from North Worcestershire CID said: “It appears that the thieves were targeting the car as nothing else was taken from the property apart from the keys to the Focus before it was driven away.

“We would like to hear from anyone who may have seen that vehicle since it was stolen in the early hours of yesterday or knows where it is now.

“It is highly likely the sighting of someone looking through the windows of an almost identical car in the same street and trying to break in there is connected to this. If anyone else saw a man of that description around there, or anyone else acting suspiciously, then please pick up the phone and let us know.”

Anyone with information can call the non-emergency number 101, quoting incident 43-S-130314.

Details may be passed on anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.