It follows a series of burglaries over recent weeks
Parts of Staffordshire have been hit by a crimewave.(Image: Getty Images)
Police have issued an urgent warning to residents living in parts of the West Midlands amid a crimewave which has seen homes and cars targeted.
It follows a series of burglaries which has seen high-end cars stolen.
Over the last few days, Audi and Lexus cars were nicked during raids in the Newcastle-under-Lyme and Staffordshire Moorlands areas.
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Detectives said 20 burglaries or attempted burglaries had been reported in the Moorlands in the last month.
Residents in these areas are now being urged to ensure homes and vehicles are locked and protected as much as possible.
Sharing details of latest incidents, Staffordshire Police said: “We are urging residents and drivers to ensure their homes and vehicles are locked after a series of burglaries in the Newcastle-under-Lyme and Staffordshire Moorlands areas.
“Most recently, we were called at 1.50am on Friday to Long Lane in Harriseahead following reports of a burglary.
“Four men were seen in the rear garden of a property.
“Two of the men then got into a black Audi A5, that they had arrived at the scene in.
“The remaining two men then entered a nearby property and stole a black Lexus with keys, before travelling in convoy with the Audi away from the scene, in the direction of Biddulph.
“The two men that entered the property before stealing the Lexus were dressed in black.
“One of the men travelling in the Audi was wearing a red bobble hat and another man was wearing a grey coat.
“The Lexus was later recovered, abandoned on Newpool Terrace in the Brown Lees area.
“This theft follows one reported in Biddulph (on Thursday) where two Audis were stolen.
“A red Audi S4 and a black Audi A5 were stolen with keys from outside a property off Well Street at around 6am on January 1, when three individuals were seen on CCTV on the driveway.
“We believe one of the stolen Audis was then used in the later Kidsgrove theft.
“It comes as around 20 burglaries or attempted burglaries were reported in the Moorlands in the last month.
“We are reminding people to make sure their vehicles and properties are kept locked and secure at all times.”
Inspector Karen Cooke, of the Staffordshire Moorlands local policing team, said: “We are doing all we can to identify these offenders and stop them in their tracks.
“But to help us, please remember to always lock your front and back doors to your property and ensure your vehicles are locked.
“Use a steering wheel lock if possible and ensure keys are kept securely, ideally in a faraday pouch.”