Five men have been arrested on suspicion of vehicle crime after a spate of car key burglaries in the Black Country.

All five men were arrested yesterday (Thursday, October 12) after three of them, aged from 26 to 28, were spotted in a car off Hospital Street in Walsall.

West Midlands Police said on searching the vehicle the officers found number plates, phones and other equipment used to steal cars.

After further investigation, a 19-year-old man was arrested from his home address in Bloxwich on suspicion of the theft of a Land Rover Discovery in Brewood, Staffordshire last month.

Staffordshire Police worked closely with West Midlands Police to arrest a 21-year-old man from his home address in Oxley.

All five men remain in police custody.

A spokesperson for West Midlands Police said: “Vehicle crime remains a priority for us as we do not underestimate the inconvenience and distress having a car stolen causes.

“We have a range of tactics at our disposal to tackle vehicle crime offenders, particularly those who commit these crimes on a large scale.

“We are continuing our crackdown on organised criminality under Operation Target which sees us take a defiant stand against a range of serious and organised crime offences – from drug dealing and burglary to cybercrime and fraud.”