VAN and minibus owners are being advised to take extra precautions to prevent vehicles being stolen after a spate of thefts in Wyre Forest.

Police have urged members of the public to review the security of their vehicles as they investigate five incidents reported to police in recent weeks.

A white Ford Transit was taken from an address in Kidderminster over the night of December 4 and 5 but was later found in Halesowen and recovered by the owner on December 10.

On December 27, a silver Ford Transit minibus was stolen from a school in Stourport where a black BMW was seen in convoy with the stolen vehicle.

Witnesses saw people jump over the gate at the school on the day of the theft which remains under investigation with the minibus still missing.

A white Ford Transit van was stolen between 2.30pm and 11.45pm on January 4 from an address in Kidderminster.

The same day, a blue Ford Transit van was taken from Kidderminster. The theft happened between 10pm and 11.57pm.

Neither have been recovered.

A silver Ford Fiesta derived van was also stolen, at around 1am on January 10, from Habberley Service Station, Franche Road, Kidderminster, and has not yet been found.

Detective Sergeant Kelle Westwood from North Worcestershire CID said: “We are encouraging van owners to take extra security measures following this series of thefts to protect their vehicles from being stolen or broken into.

“Using a simple CCTV device monitoring your vehicle or a ring doorbell can help trace thieves but there are many ways you can prevent criminals from taking your van or car in the first place, like double-checking it is locked, putting the keys in a signal-blocking pouch, such as a Faraday Bag, fitting good steering wheel locks, pedal boxes or a gear stick lock and parking in a well-lit, open location.”

More theft prevention information is available on the force website.

Enquiries are ongoing regarding the incidents reported but people can pass on any relevant information by calling police on 101 or via the force website.