Thieves raid home as victim, 90, lies in bed

Thieves stole a 90-year-old woman's hearing aid during a "sickening" raid, taking hundreds of pounds worth of jewellery and cash as she lay in bed, police revealed today.

The pensioner, who is deaf and partially sighted, assumed the intruders were members of her care team when people entered her house on the Russells Hall estate in Dudley.

A 22ct gold ring, a silver locket containing a family picture, and a gold-coloured watch with her name inscribed on the rear were among the items stolen.

Det Insp Nigel Smith, from Dudley CID, today appealed for witnesses.

"The offenders must have been aware of the vulnerability of the victim and it is sickening to think that they committed such a crime regardless," he said.

"The thieves stole not only her money, but her jewellery box containing precious items, and they even took a hearing aid from one of her bags."

He said the burglars had accidentally set off the woman's emergency alarm, fitted for if she had a fall and needed assistance, while inside the property at around 5.30am on Saturday.

Her carers had arrived shortly afterwards and called police when they realised what had happened.

"The elderly lady was unaware of who was in her home, having not been able to see or hear anything, and so assumed that the person was a member of her care team," he added.

"It was only a short time later when the actual carers attended the scene that the alarm was raised.

"The lady was not injured in any way, however she was obviously upset once she was aware what had happened.

"Thankfully, such offences are unusual in Dudley."

It comes days after detectives said they are investigating links between a string of violent burglaries against pensioners in their own homes in Walsall. Officers said they were pursuing a number of active inquiries.

Anyone with information on the latest attack is asked to call Dudley CID at Brierley Hill police station on 0345 113 5000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.