MORE then £1,000 worth of computer equipment has been stolen from a house in Batchley.

Thieves used a wheelie bin to get on to a flat roof, from which they were able to get through a window of the house.

Items stolen were a Nintendo games console worth £300, a computer game worth £35, an Acer Aspire laptop computer worth £535 and an Xbox worth £300. Damage of £80 was caused to a door.

The incident happened between 11.45am-1.30pm on Tuesday, September 18.

Redditch Police crime risk manager Pc Eddie Mills said: "We'd like to remind Redditch residents of the need to store wheelie bins in a secure place.

"They should preferably be kept away from accessible areas, in rear gardens protected by a lockable gate, or alternatively secured elsewhere such as a locked garage.

"If these options aren't possible, and they have to be stored in front of the house, they should be securely fixed so they can't be moved and used to gain access to rear gardens and low roofs."

Mr Mills added: "It's also worth considering joining or starting a Neighbourhood Watch group.

"Regardless of whether there is a formal Neighbourhood Watch in the area, we ask neighbours to keep an eye on each other's homes and contact police if they see anything suspicious."

Witnesses or anyone with information should call 08457 444888 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.