RAIDERS ransacked a Redditch petrol station, causing around £1,000 worth of damage.

Thieves used a crowbar to force their way into the fire door of Sainsbury's garage off the Alvechurch Highway at 12.45am on Thursday.

The raiders, believed to be three males, stole from the cash register and filled dustbins with a number of cigarette packets before making off with them in a red Subaru Estate.

A police spokesman said the car, driven by an Afro-Caribbean man, made a screeching noise as it left in the direction of Church Hill.

The car is believed to be stolen and police found a duplicate registration of R33TBO in Yorkshire.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Redditch Police on 08457 444888.