RESIDENTS and councillors are "concerned" about what they believe is an increase in crime in a village near Worcester.

Cllr Linda Robinson, Worcestershire county councillor for Upton Snodsbury, said she is seeing "more people worried about crime".

She praised the work of police but wonders if more can be done to allay residents’ fears.

She said: "We are concerned. I think there seems to either be rise in local crime or we are perhaps just seeing more cases emerging as a lot of it gets shared on social media now and at parish council meetings.

"I think the police do great work and the smartwater scheme is a really good deterrent but I just wonder if more could be done.

"Across my division, I am seeing more people worried about crimes such as catalytic converter thefts and sentimental items being stolen.

"It is a real concern and I think people need to be reassured that the police are available when called upon."

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An Upton Snodsbury resident, who wished to remain anonymous, also expressed concern over the safety of the village.

They said: "On social media I am seeing a lot more people sharing CCTV footage and reports of people setting off alarms in the early hours of the morning and suspicious people spotted in the area.

"The village used to feel like a relatively safe place to live but people now seem to be more vigilant and concerned over thefts and burglaries."

At the end of January, a VW Golf was damaged during an attempted catalytic converter theft, which prompted a police appeal for witnesses.

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Inspector David Wise, of the local safer neighbourhood policing team for Upton Snodsbury, said: “Upton Snodsbury remains a very safe place to live, whilst reducing thefts from vehicles and outbuildings in the rural areas of South Worcestershire continues to be a top policing priority.

"Recently our Rural and Business Crime Officers have attended nearby Drakes Broughton to hold a crime prevention advice surgery and our teams will continue to offer drop-in sessions, property marking events and home visits to inform the community of our work and provide practical safety advice.

“Overnight police patrols will be intensified with this priority in mind, and I would ask that any suspicious activity and crimes in progress are reported via 101 or 999 if happening there and then, in order to allow for a prompt response by our team.”