ELDERLY residents in a sheltered housing scheme in Alvechurch have been left feeling upset and vulnerable following a recent theft.

Sheltered housing officer Pam Davies said she noticed four plant pots donated by Hillside WI to mark the Queen's Golden Jubilee were missing from outside the community hall at the Tanyard Close scheme on Friday morning.

She added a bench was also taken earlier in the year.

"The bench had been there for about 21 years but it might even have been longer.

"We have never had much stolen from here and I don't know whether someone is targeting us but it's very upsetting for the residents," said Mrs Davies.

She added Bromsgrove Tenants' Association had donated two new benches costing about £300 each which had been cemented into the ground so thieves could not take them.

"We have to get funding for everything we do here so I don't know whether we will replace the pots.

"It is surprising people would want to do this to the elderly.

"They love a bench to sit on and for the place to look nice - it's annoying and a real shame.

"They live independently and I don't like to see them feeling upset and vulnerable," said Mrs Davies.

She added she had asked police to step up patrols in the area.