Distraction burglars pose as police officers to target elderly residents in Wolverhampton

Detectives are investigating whether the same gang were involved in two separate burglaries on elderly victims in the Wolverhampton area on Tuesday.

The first distraction burglary took place in Greenly Road, Goldthorn Park, at around 6.30pm – where two men knocked on the door of an 88-year-old woman saying they were doing an area search.

They then rummaged through her home and stole a quantity of cash.

In the second burglary in Hadley Road, Bilston, four men claiming to be PCs entered the property of an 80-year-old man at around 9pm and made off with money.

Officers are also investigating whether there is a link with another attempted burglary in Regis Road, Tettenhall, at around 8pm. An 89-year-old woman was disturbed by four men in her property who are then believed to have fled empty-handed.

West Midlands Police are now warning residents across Wolverhampton to be on their guard against distraction burglars.

Reassurance patrols have been stepped up and officers are urging people to be vigilant and always check for identification.

Detective Chief Inspector Tom Chisholm, from Wolverhampton Police, said: "These are incredibly serious offences where cowardly burglars have preyed on elderly victims.

"We are working hard to find out who is responsible and will do all that we can to protect those who are most vulnerable in our communities.

"I would ask people to be vigilant, particularly if people attend an address without prior arrangement and claim to be police officers.

"Officers will normally be in uniform and arrive in a marked police vehicle, if in doubt do not open the door, request their name and number and contact 101 to ensure they are legitimate.”

Anyone with information about the distraction burglaries in Wolverhampton is asked to call West Midlands Police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.