AN eagle-eyed 23-year-old woman helped police catch a group of suspected burglars after she spotted them loitering around homes.

The woman rang police after spotting three men peeking into houses and cars in Seymour Avenue, Northwick, Worcester, at around midnight on January 30.

Police officers searched the area and found a vehicle, containing tools, face coverings and other items, in Northwick Close, Worcester.

The four males inside the car were arrested and two have been convicted of preparing to steal items, with the other pair due in court later this month.

The woman, who did not want to be named, told the Worcester News: “I saw [security] lights turn on at the house opposite where they were at about 12.30am.

“I saw three males, all dressed in dark clothing with hoods up. One had a face mask on, like a medical mask, covering his nose and mouth.

“They went up to a house and were up against the wall, loitering there. They were also looking in the windows and looking in cars.

“They were scratching the ice off the car windows. They spent a good five minutes at the house.

“They then walked away towards the end of the road but on their way they visited another house and went up to the windows.”

The witness, aged 23, said the men looked like they intended to burgle the homes or take the cars.

She added: “I thought they were burglars because a few weeks before this happened there were burglaries in the area.”

Matthew Alcock, of Birmingham, was jailed for six weeks and recalled to prison, while Shaun Cooper, also from Birmingham, was told to complete unpaid work, on January 31.

Both pleaded guilty to ‘going equipped for stealing’.

The remaining two suspects are due to appear at Worcester Magistrates Court on February 14, according to police.

Sergeant Alexander Denny said police suspected the men were about to commit a burglary and were charged with ‘going equipped for stealing’.

He added: “West Mercia Police are actively patrolling and responding to calls from the public, all departments are working together effectively in order to bring offenders to justice and keep our communities safe.”

He said policing teams in south Worcestershire had arrested 10 suspected burglars in the last few weeks.