Two 99-year-old's among Black Country assault victims

There were 85 attacks on people aged 90 or over - more than one every week - ranging from the most serious, assault occasioning actual bodily harm to common assault. The oldest were two people aged 99, who were both victims of common assault.

The incidents emerged following a Freedom of Information request to West Midlands Police. Details of individual cases were not provided but it's likely some were victims of robberies and other serious attacks.

In total, there were 1,546 assaults on pensioners. Thirty people aged over 90 were hurt so badly the attacks were treated as assault occasioning actual bodily harm by police.

Three people, aged 87, 83 and 81, suffered more serious injuries and the cases were classed as causing grievous bodily harm with intent. Details of criminal convictions resulting from the attacks were not included.

It comes after police released details last week of a 73-year-old man who was attacked and robbed at his Wolverhampton home.

The victim was opening his porch door in Park Lane when he was thrown to the ground by the attacker on December 8.

Two men searched the property before fleeing with the pensioner's phone and money. Police have now launched an appeal for information.

Christine Szygowski, chief executive of Age UK in Dudley, branded the number of attacks on the elderly "unacceptable".

She said: "Any attack on anybody is horrible and disgusting, especially in their own home but particularly on people who are older and also vulnerable.

"Not all older people are vulnerable but it's completely unacceptable if people can't feel safe in their own home."