Monthly News Letter - Dorridge & Hockley Heath

Friday 17th July 2026

Good evening from the Solihull Rural’s Neighbourhood Policing Team,

 Our team are hard at work preventing crime and keeping our communities safe. If you have any local information to support us with this, please email the Rural’s Neighbourhood Policing Team inbox on rural@westmidlands.police.uk . 

Please be aware that this inbox is NOT monitored 24 hours a day and is purely for non-emergencies. In an emergency please call 999. To report a crime in a non-emergency situation please call 101 or visit Report a crime | West Midlands Police to do this online. 

The Rural’s Team will also keep you updated on their activity using X (previously known as Twitter). Please follow our team on X using the following username: @RuralsWMP

Local crime

Below is a snapshot of the vehicle crime and burglaries that have been recorded in the Dorridge & Hockley Heath area between the 3rd July 2026 – 17th July 2026.    

Burglaries:

FENNIS CLOSE, DORRIDGE – 11/07/26 – 00:00 – 00:15 - Suspects have entered the victim's address through the rear door which was unlocked. This has resulted in the suspect gaining entry to the conservatory of the house. The suspect has then entered the living room of the address by unknown means as this victim stated that this door was locked. The suspect has then taken the victim’s car keys from the living room table and left the address and driven off in the victim’s car. The car is a white Vauxhall astra. 

Vehicle crime

No vehicle crime was recorded between dates provided. 

Crime prevention advice

-  Please consider purchasing a steering wheel lock for your vehicle. This will decrease the chances of your vehicle being targeted by offenders. Also remember to double check that your vehicle is locked, before leaving it unattended. Installing an immobiliser and covert tracking device will also increase the chance of getting your vehicle back should it be stolen.

-  Please don’t leave valuable items on show inside your vehicle. Even loose change can be appealing to vehicle offenders.

- Consider installing anti-snap locks to all external windows and doors on your home. This will make it more difficult for potential burglars to gain access to your home. Installing a monitored burglar alarm is also a great deterrent. Try to make the front and rear of your property as well-lit as possible by installing motion activated lighting.

- CCTV is a great deterrent for offenders. This can also be crucial in linking criminals to multiple crimes.

- Consider purchasing anti-tamper number plate screws to secure your vehicle registration to your vehicle. Bare in mind that if you have a personalised plate, anti-tamper screws will make it very difficult to remove the plate if needed.
 

Warm weather causes a spike in "opportunistic" crimes like burglary and theft. Thieves target open windows and unlocked doors to sneak in quickly. Always lock up when you leave the house or head into the garden. Keep your valuables out of sight.

Here are the best ways to protect your home and belongings:

 -Lock your windows: Close and lock your windows when you leave the room, go to sleep, or go out. If you need air, use window restrictors.

- Shut your curtains: Keep your blinds or curtains closed during the hottest parts of the day. This blocks the sun, keeps your house cool, and stops thieves from seeing your electronics.

- Hide your keys: Never leave car keys or house keys near open windows or doors where someone can reach in and grab them.

- Secure your garden: Lock away all tools and ladders in a shed. A thief can use your own tools to break into your house. Lock your garden gates.

- Lock your car: Make sure all car windows are shut and the doors are locked before walking away. Always double-check the door handle with your hand.

CCTV REGISTRY

We need more people to register their home or business CCTV and doorbell cameras to help solve crime by providing footage when alerted.

Register your CCTV or doorbell cameras at: CCTV Registry | West Midlands Police

 How it works in three steps:

1. Register your cameras securely in 60 seconds

2. You will receive a text or email when a crime happens near your home or business and our officers believe your CCTV may have recorded the incident

3. Upload the images via the secure link contained in the message

Dates for your diary 

Thank you for your continued support

Kind regards

PCSO  Faye Payne 31879 

Solihull Rural’s Neighbourhood Policing Team