FURIOUS drivers are paying the price of a craze for stealing car badges.

Dealerships have reported an increase in people ordering replacement badges following a spate of thefts.

Lexus, on the main road through Hallow, near Worcester, has had five orders in three months, two of which have been for gold-plated badges, costing £250 each.

At Startin Honda, parts manager Mark Withey said he had also noticed an increase in the number of replacements being bought by annoyed customers.

The dealership, in Bromyard Road, St John's, Worcester, has had two badges ordered in just two weeks. They cost up to £12 each.

In an incident at Droitwich, cars parked outside homes in Impney Green and Impney Way in the Hill End area were targeted on Sunday.

Many had their badges, or parts of their badges, ripped off in a spree of vandalism that police believe took place between the hours of 11.20am and 9.20pm.

A police spokesman said that there was no pattern in the make of cars being targeted. And they have renewed an appeal for information.

Parents have been asked to quiz their children about where they were at the time.

The police spokesman said: "Two youths, aged between 12 to 16, were seen in the area at about 6.30am."

Anyone with information is asked to call 08457 444888 quoting crime reference number 469S/190605.