POLICE have stepped up efforts to find those responsible for a series of Black Country break-ins after more burglaries were reported overnight.

Three masked men struck at the home of an 88-year-old man in Lower Gornal, where they searched the property but left empty-handed.

In two other incidents in Kingswinford and Stourbridge - a door and window were forced at the home of an 89-year-old woman before an untidy search was made, while in the second incident a 69-year-old man discovered his front door had been kicked open and offenders were fleeing the scene.

The offenders in both incidents are believed to have fled in a vehicle.

Two incidents in Wolverhampton and another in Bilston, all involving pensioners in their 80s, have also been reported.

West Midlands Police said a team of detectives was now working through CCTV and exploring forensic opportunities from the break-ins to help catch those responsible.

Inspector Rod Rose, from force CID, said: "These crimes, often targetting the elderly and frail, are devastating for the victims and abhorrent to us.

"So for officers across the Black Country identifying and arresting these offenders is a top priority.

"We are asking the public to help by reporting anything suspicious in their area.

"We would also ask people to keep a look-out for friends, relatives and neighbours, especially with the weather turning colder."

Anyone with information that could help the on-going enquiry is urged to contact police via Live Chat at www.west-midlands.police.uk 8am - midnight, or call 101 anytime. In an emergency, people are urged to dial 999 immediately.