FOUR men were due to appear before Cannock magistrates this morning (Wednesday March 22) charged with conspiracy to burgle following incidents across the Black Country.

The charges follow a coordinated sting between West Midlands and Staffordshire Police on a Wolverhampton gang suspected of targeting dozens of businesses across Dudley, Walsall, Wolverhampton and Wombourne.

The men due in court today were: car salesman Royston Hallard, aged 22, of Tithe Croft, Heath Town; unemployed Lee Fletcher, aged 26, of Moseley Road, Bilston; restaurateur Mark Pursall, aged 27, of Foster Road, Low Hill; and unemployed Christopher Rock, aged 37, of Salop Street, Bilston.

Two other men - aged 47 from Willenhall and 29 from Low Hill - were also arrested as part of the investigation and have been released on police bail while inquiries continue.