Metal thieves stole lead from 10 bungalows in one night after climbing on to the roofs as pensioners slept.

The thieves also damaged roof tiles at the homes in Valley View, Brownhills.

It has led to fears water could now leak into properties.

Resident Bob Weir, aged 64, said it was a surprise when people got up to discover the metal had been stolen and their homes damaged.

“They had got on to the roofs and stripped the lead from the chimneys,” he said. “The tiles are all broken where they pulled the lead off. There are a lot of older people around here and it has come as a bit of a shock to everyone.

“You just don’t expect anyone to be climbing on the roof in the night.”

Walsall Housing Group has been contacted to carry out repairs. Residents discovered the thefts yesterday morning and West Midlands Police has been informed.

Officers have launched a crackdown on metal thefts after a spate of incidents across Walsall over the last six months.