SIX young men - including two from Frankley and one from Rednal - have been charged in connection with a spate of burglaries in the Black Country and North Worcestershire.

West Mercia Police have charged the gang with a series of burglary and theft offences in North Worcestershire, South Birmingham, Halesowen and Stourbridge between August and November last year.

All six, three of whom are teenagers, have been charged with conspiracy to commit dwelling burglaries with each other and unknown others and conspiracy to steal motor vehicles.

They include Aidan Walls, 21, of Brownsea Close, Frankley; Callum Bellamy, 21, of Skomer Close, Rednal; Josh Lester, 19, of Staple Lodge Road, Birmingham; Reece Woodthorpe, 19, of The Roundabout, Northfield; and Nathan Cramner, 22 of Handley Grove, Frankley.

A 17-year-old male, who cannot be named due to age restrictions, has also been charged with the same offences.

The men appeared at Kidderminster Magistrates' Court last week and will next appear at Worcester Crown Court on July 8.

The charges come as West Mercia Police continues to crack down on serious and organised crime as part of its Protect campaign.