POLICE are stepping up the fight against home invasion burglars in the Black Country, with the launch of a new taskforce to bring thieves to justice.

There have been 62 raids around the region since October, with criminals bursting into people’s homes and demanding valuables from their victims who are threatened with violence.

At least 50 of them are thought to be linked to the same series.

There are an estimated six or seven gangs operating in the region, with victims mainly being from an elderly and an Asian background. 

In the Black Country, offenders have been described as Eastern European and black. Some of those targeted have said the robbers had Irish accents.

In the last three weeks, there have been five in Dudley, four in Walsall, two in Sandwell and six in Wolverhampton.

In Wolverhampton, some of the victims were visited by door-to-door salesmen with Irish accents in what detectives believe could have been reconnaissance trips.

Investigations into all the suspects are continuing.

The force is now putting its resources behind catching offenders, bringing together intelligence specialists, detectives, neighbourhood officers, forensic experts and traffic officers to launch a co-ordinated response.

Detective Superintendent Alison Telford, leading the West Midlands Police response to the raids, said: “These crimes are particularly abhorrent; offenders are targeting vulnerable people in their homes where they should feel safest.

“We are putting a huge amount of resources behind catching those responsible, including extra support from our uniformed officers, as well as covert work.

“We would urge people to follow our simple crime-prevention tips, and to report any suspicious activity on 101.

"People can tell our call handlers if they feel unexpected visitors may have been carrying out reconnaissance linked to home invasions.”