ARRESTS have been made to three men in connection with distraction burglaries across the Black Country, including two in Kingswinford on Sunday.

The trio are suspected of duping elderly residents in Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton out of their life savings by posing as workmen offering emergency repairs or gardening work.

A VW Golf was stopped on Hagley Road yesterday afternoon by officers from the Central Motorway Police Group following the Kingswinford thefts.

Two occupants of the vehicle, aged 18 and 20, were arrested on suspicion of burglary and following a search of an address, a 52-year-old man was also arrested last night on suspicion of burglary.

All three men, from Cannock and Worcestershire, remain in police custody this morning where they will continued to be questioned later today.

Following 17 reports in the last few weeks of bogus tradesmen targeting pensioners, West Midlands Police is now urging residents to look out for their elderly neighbours and spread the message of vigilance against door-step con artists.

Dudley Police Superintendent Andy Parsons, said: “Always be wary of people who turn up at your door unannounced and never buy products or services from cold callers.

“Crucially, never invite unexpected visitors into your home, use a door chain, keep them out and ask for ID if they claim to be from a company.

“If you are unsure, close the door and call a neighbour or a friend or phone your local police on 101.

“Our local neighbourhood teams are carrying out increased patrols in your area and if anyone has been targeted in this way I’d ask them to get in touch as they could have vital information and will help us get a clearer picture of the offending pattern.”

Anyone with information should call Dudley Police’s Acquisitive Crime Team at Brierley Hill police station on 101.