A THIEF has been filmed smashing a car window and stealing items from inside on a  residential road in Worcester.

The footage shows the moment the thief approaches the car, parked on Cole Hill, and throws an object at the driver's side window smashing the glass.

The brazen thief attacked the car's window at 11.30pm on Wednesday, July 12.

After taking items from the glove box, the thief can then be seen running down Cole Hill out of view of the camera.

A spokesperson for West Mercia Police said they received a call just after midnight on Thursday, July 13 about the break-in to the car.

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A concerned resident passed the footage on to Cllr Jabba Riaz, Worcester city councillor for Cathedral.

Cllr Riaz recently suggested there had been an increase in break-ins in the Fort Royal and Diglis areas of Worcester though West Mercia Police claim this is not the case.

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Speaking about the video footage, Cllr Riaz said: "Obviously this is still a major issue in the area.

"Residents are afraid to leave their vehicles unattended for this reason.

"We need the police to do more to help stop this."

Philip Fowler, a resident of Cole Hill, also highlighted the issues in the area surrounding the road.

He said: "There has been a lot around us recently. It is very quiet around here normally and we have never really had any issues except for the last three or so weeks.

"Police have been once I think but nothing from them since."

Inspector Tanya Beckett, from the Worcester City safer neighbourhood team, emphasised again that an increase has not been seen despite Cllr Riaz's claims.

She said: “While we have not seen a significant increase in thefts from vehicles, we’re aware of concerns and officers are carrying out enquiries into a small number of reports.

"We would ask members of the public to work with us and help in our efforts to prevent a car from being broken into in the first instance, ensuring cars are locked when they’re left unattended and valuable items are not left on display can all help.

"If your vehicle is broken into or you think someone has attempted to break into your vehicle, please report this to us via our website."

Investigations into the damage and theft on Cole Hill are ongoing.