Elderly people targeted by burglars

Elderly people are being targeted in a spate of burglaries in West Bromwich.

There have been nine in the town in the last two months which police believe may be linked, leaving residents with a sense of fear.

Officers are hunting at least two men who have forced or tricked their way into homes in Mountbatten Close, Burlington Road, Lambert End and Devereux Road.

The men are described as black and wore dark clothing with hooded jackets.

One elderly man was hit on the hand with a shovel during an attack, while a woman was pushed to the ground in another.

The crime spree was revealed on internet site Twitter yesterday.

Vicar's wife and mother-of-three Amanda Robbie, who lives on Burlington Road, typed the message: "Another aggravated burglary in the parish."

Mrs Robbie, who is the wife of the parish vicar Neil Robbie, from Holy Trinity Church, said: "People have been breaking into homes, locking the residents in a room and taking their money.

"The last I heard was that a woman had been taken to hospital."

The ambulance service said they had been called to Burlington Road at 5.15pm on Tuesday, when Police confirmed a burglary took place.

Detective Constable Mark Fletcher said: "At this stage we believe the incidents may be linked and are putting together a picture of the pattern of offending."

Sandwell Council's safety boss Derek Rowley, said: "Burglary is a hideous crime anyway, but the fact these burglars are targeting elderly people makes it even worse."