Almost 300 pensioners aged 70 and above were arrested in the West Midlands last year, the Express & Star can reveal today.

The OAPs were collared for crimes including violence, burglary, criminal damage and fraud. Figures obtained under the Freedom of Information Act reveal 290 people aged 70 and above were arrested in 2008/09. One of those arrested was over 90. West Midlands Police said today “age and wisdom” did not stop people from committing crimes.

The statistics show 251 pensioners aged between 70 and 79 were arrested, 38 people aged between 80 and 89 were arrested and one person aged 90 or over was arrested.

In the 70-79 age group, the most common crime was violence against the person with 101 arrests.

In the same group, 29 pensioners were arrested for sexual offences, 23 for theft and handling, 10 for criminal damage, five for fraud and forgery, four for drugs and three for burglary. A total of 71 people, aged 70 to 79, were arrested for non-notifiable or other offences.

West Midlands Police Chief Inspector Mark Payne said: “Unfortunately, age and wisdom is not a complete bar to people committing crime. As such, officers have a duty to the public to investigate offences regardless of someone’s age.”

In the 80-89 age group, 15 people were arrested for violence, seven for sexual offences, four for theft, two for criminal damage and one for fraud and forgery. Nine people aged between 80 and 89 were arrested for non-notifiable or other offences.

The person aged 90 or above was arrested for a non-notifiable crime.