Police hunting a violent masked gang responsible for a dozen terrifying tea-time attacks on family homes in the Black Country have arrested a number of local men.

Detectives said the arrests had been made in Wolverhampton in the hunt for the so-called Twilight Gang and were ‘significant’.

The victims of the latest attack, which happened in Compton on Wednesday night, were today too traumatised to speak. 

Read the full story in the Express & Star  Police hunting a violent masked gang responsible for a dozen terrifying tea-time attacks on family homes in the Black Country have arrested a number of local men.

 Police hunting a violent masked gang responsible for a dozen terrifying tea-time attacks on family homes in the Black Country have arrested a number of local men.Detectives said the arrests had been made in Wolverhampton in the hunt for the so-called Twilight Gang and were ‘significant’.

It came hours after the mob subjected another family to an horrific ordeal.

Over the last four months the ruthless gang, who have worn Halloween masks and motorcycle helmets, have terrorised children at home alone and families watching TV in the early evening.

They have struck in Tettenhall, Tettenhall Wood and Penn as well as Whitmore Reans, Aldersley and Pendeford, battering down front doors or bursting in through unlocked back doors, often with guns.

They force victims to hand over valuables including keys, phones, bank cards, jewellery and widescreen TVs. They have made off with at least two cars.

The victims of the latest attack, which happened in Compton on Wednesday night, were today too traumatised to speak.

Police described the thugs as professional criminals who carefully choose their targets. Det Ch Insp Mark Salt, from Bilston Street CID, said: “A number of local men have been arrested following a burglary in the Compton area on Wednesday evening.

“They are still in custody. It is significant to our inquiries. We would like to reassure people the police are doing everything they can to safeguard the public.”

One woman, whose Pendeford home was targeted in November, told how an attacker burst into her home and held a gun to her son’s head as they watched TV. “They said it wasn’t enough and screamed at us to give them more,” she said.

By Stuart Pollitt