A SERIES of radio thefts from cars has caused concern on a Worcester estate.

The crime spree has seen around five cars broken into in one night in the same road.

St Peter's Parish Council members described the string of thefts as a "new trend", although the crimes have taken place at the same time as 18 break-ins in the Worcester area.

"Down Grasshopper Avenue, four or five cars were broken into during one night," said parish councillor Glynis Catlow.

"My son's girlfriend's car was broken into.

"They were after the stereo and took it out of the car.

Mrs Catlow told a meeting of the council that she believed the age group of the culprits ranged between 18 and 20.

"It seems like a new trend," said parish council chairman Roger Knight. "We've had car break-ins before, but from people coming back from pubs."

After the meeting, Mrs Catlow said her son's girlfriend had only just bought the car and was really upset.

"My son noticed it when we went to pick it up the next day," she said. "They had smashed the small window at the back and taken the stereo.

"People should be made aware that if they have stereos in the car they should take the front off once the vehicles are parked."

Mrs Catlow said the break-ins occurred at around 2am on Monday, December 10.

Parish council clerk Robert Jenkins said he received a police message at the beginning of the week to say there had been a series of house break-ins.

He received the information from a computer system that stored information from groups such as Neighbourhood Watch and West Mercia Police.

"The message said there had been 18 break-ins in the space of a few days where jewellery and money had been taken," he said. "In one case car keys were taken and someone stole the car from outside the property.

"Its been happening in Worcester in general, not just St Peter's estate."

Mr Jenkins said there had only been a crime problem in the area in the last two weeks and called it a "one off".

Members also agreed that local youngsters had been more manageable since PC Tina Dodd, beat manager for St Peter's and St John's, began working in the area around four years ago.