CRIMINALS targeted buildings around Worcestershire as part of a window smashing spree.

The Worcester News has already reported on arsonists breaking into cars and setting them on fire over the past week.

However, it has emerged that the thugs also smashed the windows of four buildings in south Worcestershire.

The criminals struck homes in Droitwich and Pebworth, near Evesham, and two buildings in Hindlip, near Worcester.

The Droitwich and Hindlip incidents took place between the evening of March 21 and the morning of March 22, while the Pebworth criminal damage happened in the past week.

County councillor Tony Miller said he had heard that the damaged Hindlip properties were farm buildings.

He added: "I'm pretty sure it's youngsters doing this.

"They have been using steel ball-bearings with sling shots. The ball-bearings have got their finger prints on them.

"They will get caught if they continue because you can't keep doing the same thing over and over again and get away with it."

Overnight on March 21, a house window was damaged in Ladywood, Droitwich.

Criminals also smashed another window and glass in a door, in Hindlip, on the same night.

County councillor Richard Morris, who represents Droitwich, said he believed the criminals were driving around targeting properties randomly.

There has been a recent spate of criminal damage involving cars, with reported incidents in Worcester, Malvern, Claines, Fernhill Heath, Tibberton, Crowle, Flyford Flavell, Naunton Beauchamp, Himbleton, Powick, Droitwich, Pinvin, Broadwas, Broughton Hackett and Upton.

Nine have involved cars being firebombed, according to West Mercia Police.