Heartless thieves forced one business to close and caused over a thousand pounds worth of damage to another following a spate of burglaries in Kidderminster last week.

At around 2.20am on Tuesday, November 28, two men wearing dark clothing forced entry to 1st Stop 4 Tyres on Tram Street using large concrete slabs and attempted to remove the safe.

The manager, Mike Fletcher, said the masked thieves raided an office causing £1,400 worth of damage.

He said: “They smashed one of the big windows. It’s always a bit of a shock when it happens.”

West Mercia Police have since launched an appeal into the incident after two other businesses in the town were also burgled last week.

At around 9.50pm on Monday, November 27, two men smashed one of the glass panels to the front doors of Just for Pets on New Road where a Guide Dogs donation box was taken. The identity of the suspects is unknown as their faces were covered.

Then between the hours of 9pm on Thursday, November 30 and 7am on Friday, December 1, suspects broke into Geek Retreat on Worcester Street and took items from the store including the till tray.

Geek Retreat revealed it had to close the store temporarily due to incident but they have since reopened and thanked its customers for the support.

The company said: “Me and the team want to send a special thank you and a lot of love to our concerned patrons and delightful customers today. Your kind words and well wishes were incredible and truly humbling.

“With that said we will be trading as usual with the slight clause of card only for the time being. We hope to see you in store again.”

Officers investigating the burglaries would now like the to speak to anybody who might have information which could help them with their enquiries.

In an update on Tuesday, December 5, a spokesperson for West Mercia Police said: “The incidents are being treated separately at the moment, but officers are still investigating the burglaries and are still appealing for any information.”

Anyone with information should call 101 using extension 7732011.

Alternatively, information can also be reported anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or by visiting www.crimestoppers-org.uk

Just for Pets did not wish to comment on the burglary.