'Easy prey' pensioners targeted and held down by Black Country burglary gang
A burglary gang has been targeting pensioners across the Black Country - with some being held down as the crooks search their homes.
Elderly people have been targeted by the gang in at least 15 distraction burglaries committed in the last two weeks across the Wolverhampton, Sandwell and Walsall boroughs, West Midlands Police said.
The men have been posing as police officers, water board engineers and gardeners to trick their way into their homes - in a similar manner to a gang which struck 29 times in 10 days in the autumn of last year.
Once inside the men are distracting victims while accomplices search rooms for cash, jewellery and other valuables.
During one break-in on the afternoon of October 22 they gained access to a back garden in Greenwood Road, Walsall, by claiming to be carrying out water pipe maintenance.
The residents returned from a shopping trip to find their patio window smashed and a safe stolen containing cash and personal documents.
The burglars are understood to be white men with Irish accents who are taking advantage of Covid-19 by wearing surgical masks to protect their identity.
Police believe they are using a white van, black VW Golf GTi and also a silver BMW X5 with ladders on the roof.
Sergeant Tom Frenchum from West Midlands Police CID, said: “These are crimes committed by heartless offenders.
"They are targeting residents in their 80s and 90s, people they believe are easy prey and who will fall for their lies.
“Force has been used against some victims. We’ve had accounts from some who say they got suspicious and asked the men to leave – but were then held down while rooms were searched."
It comes just over a year after police launched a major appeal to track down a gang responsible for a spate of similar crimes across the region.
In those raids, the gang targeted people aged from their 70s upwards and used force when they were unable to trick their way in, including threatening a deaf 89-year-old man with a brick.
Four men from Wrexham were eventually arrested and charged.
“We need residents to be alert to the threat and for people to share our message with elderly family members, friends or neighbours," Sgt Frenchum added.
“And if anyone sees anything suspicious or have been visited by doorstep callers matching the description to contact us as they may have important information.
“People out there will know who is responsible. I would urge them to do the right thing and get in touch. They are stealing from old, vulnerable people and do not deserve any protection.”
If you see anything suspicious call 999. Anyone with information is asked to message Live Chat through the West Midlands Police website or call 101 quoting crime reference 20DY/252500A/20.
