Gang targets 25 cars in one-night Wolverhampton crime spree

Officers investigating the crimes say they echo trends more often seen 20 years ago, as today's thieves usually target expensive sat navs and smartphones.

A total of 25 cars were tampered with in and around Marbury Drive in Bilston, Wolverhampton.

All the vehicles had the alloy wheel caps stolen and the thieves stole the stereo from a Ford Fiesta and tried to force the steering lock to get the car started.

They were unsuccessful and fled on foot with the radio. Acting Sergeant Matt Cooper, from Wolverhampton's Vehicle Team, said: "It is unusual to see such a volume of thefts of things like wheel centres, badges and stereos.

"These days most thefts from cars are sat navs or other valuable, and saleable, electronic items left on show. But that does not make this any less of a crime.

"The owners are still left with the damage and cost of replacing the stolen goods, let alone the inconvenience. The images are quite clear and show several young men that we'd like to trace in connection with these crimes."

It comes after hub caps and wheel parts were stolen from about 50 cars at a dealership in Wolverhampton.

Thieves struck at the Charles Clark Toyota dealership, in Bilston Road, on July 6.

Bilston has emerged as a hotspot for the problem, with the latest thefts happening in Stowlawn and The Lunt.

In May this year, up to 15 cars had alloy wheel caps stolen in the Weston Drive area of the town. Police believe the two spates may be linked.

Acting Sergeant Cooper added: "In the 1980s and early 1990s, it was quite common for hub caps to be stolen. It's a bit different these days."

Police have now issued images of people they want to speak to.

One image shows a man in a blue anorak with the hood up, while another features a man in a black jacket with a dark woolly hat. And men wearing shorts and baseball caps can also be seen

Anyone with information about the thefts, which happened overnight on Monday, should call 101.