Warning to elderly over home raids

Elderly residents have been targeted in a spate of distraction burglaries around Sandwell, police said today.

Thieves posing as decorators and representatives from the water board have targeted three properties since the start of the month, stealing cash and jewellery.

Homes in Tipton, Smethwick and Oldbury have been raided with officers now urging residents to be vigilant.

The first burglary was on September 2 in Tipton at 1.30pm when a thief stole cash and jewellery after claiming to be from the water board.

On the same day at 9pm two men targeted a property in Smethwick, taking cash after telling the elderly homeowner they were fixing a leak.

The most recent burglary happened last Thursday in Oldbury, between 12.30pm and 2pm. Three men in a white van, claiming to be decorators, followed a resident to his home before stealing cash from inside.