TEENAGERS from Rubery and Rednal and a man from Turves Green are among a group arrested over a series of car-key burglaries where 26 vehicles were stolen.
They were carried out across Worcestershire, Shropshire and south Birmingham between December 17 and last Friday, February 7.
Warrants were carried out in the early hours of this morning by officers from both West Mercia Police and West Midlands Police as part of an investigation into the 45 burglaries and attempted burglaries.
As a result of the police activity today a 16-year-old from Dudley and a 17-year-old from Weoley Castle, Birmingham were arrested on suspicion of dwelling burglary.
Six people were also arrested on suspicion to commit dwelling burglary.
Among them were a 17-year-old from Bartley Green, three 18-year-olds – from Rednal, Rubery and West Bromwich, a 20-year-old from Turves Green and a 24-year-old from Ladywood.
All eight remain in police custody.
Det Con Kirsty Hill from West Mercia Police said: “Burglary can have a significant impact on victims and their families and I hope this dedicated operation reassures our communities that we take these crimes seriously and will work with our neighbouring forces to ensure a coordinated and joint response to tackling them.”
Ten of the stolen vehicles have so far been recovered and investigating officers are working to find the rest.