Residents in a quiet Worcestershire neighbourhood have been warned to be vigilant after burglars used aggressive 'lock-breaking' methods to target homes. West Mercia Police has issued a community alert following two linked incidents in the Redditch area over the New Year period.
Overnight Break-In on Kenneth Vincent Close
The first incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday, January 3, 2026. Intruders forced their way into a property on Kenneth Vincent Close, a cul-de-sac off Evesham Road bordering Astwood Bank. The offenders snapped the locks at the rear of the home to gain entry at around 5am.
Police believe the burglars' primary intention was to steal a vehicle. After searching through drawers inside the property, they ultimately left empty-handed. In an official statement, West Mercia Police said: "The offender/s have broken the locks at the rear of the property to gain entry inside, it is likely a vehicle was the intended target."
Daylight Attempt in Dark Lane
In a separate but related attempt, another property in the area was targeted in broad daylight. On Friday, January 2, 2026, at approximately 13:30 hours, would-be burglars tried to break into a home on Dark Lane, Astwood Bank.
This attempt was unsuccessful. The force's alert confirmed that the offenders failed to gain entry due to a high level of security at the rear of the house. The police are treating the two incidents as connected and are urging the community to remain alert.
Police Appeal for Information
West Mercia Police issued a formal neighbourhood matters alert on Monday, January 5, 2026, calling for anyone with information to come forward. The force has provided specific incident reference numbers for each case.
For the Kenneth Vincent Close break-in, quote incident number 00066_i_03012026. For the attempted burglary on Dark Lane, quote incident number 00321_i_02012026.
Information can be provided by calling 101, visiting the West Mercia Police website, or contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Officers are asking residents to report any suspicious activity and to review their own home security measures, particularly ensuring that doors and windows are robustly secured.
