POLICE are warning people in Pedmore to be on their guard after three men were spotted acting suspiciously in the area.

The men, who were wearing hoods and had their faces covered possibly by balaclavas, seemed to be paying attention to vehicles and houses in Beckham road and St Peter's Road, Pedmore at 3am on Thursday (October 15).

They were picked up by security cameras in the area.

Police say they have had an increase in the theft of catalytic converters recently - with the latest incident in Trinity Road, Amblecote, on Friday (October 16) at around 10.40pm.

A warning sent by PCSO Neal Hunt, from the Stourbridge neighbourhood team, states: "We have received a report from a member of the public of three men seen acting suspiciously in Beckham road and St peters road, Pedmore at 0300 hrs on the 15/10/2020.

"The males who were wearing hoods and had their faces covered possibly by balaclavas, seemed to be paying attention to vehicles and houses, this activity had been picked up by security cameras.

"Can residents please be vigilant and report any activity to police, if at any time during the late evening or early hours of the morning you see any suspicious behaviour call the police straight away.

"We have had an increase in the theft of catalytic converters recently, a few days ago a vehicle was stopped in Wollaston by officers from response at Brierley Hill and offenders were locked up, after catalytic converters believed to have been stolen were located in the vehicle.

"Last night we have received another report of a catalytic converter theft in Trinity road, Amblecote at approx. 2240 hrs.

"It's believed residents may have heard a noise of the Converter being sawn from beneath the vehicle, a silver small hatchback was seen in the area at the time and the occupants may have been involved."