Pensioners lay terrified in their beds as two raiders went on a three-hour burgling spree and smashed their way into 21 homes.

The burglars - thought to be white men in their 20s - rifled through the houses searching for cash and pension books before moving onto their next target.

One victim, recovering from a stroke, had his collection of records snatched.

Detectives believe they know the identity of the pair and have conducted a series of raids in the Holme Wood district where the burglaries occurred.

The pair struck in just one small area. Three homes were hit in Rushmoor Road, Cordingley Close and Launceston Drive. They targeted another two in Haslemere Close, and neighbouring streets were also affected.

Many of the pensioners involved have been comforted by police officers following the attacks which occurred between 3am and 6am on Thursday.

Detective Sergeant Scott Bisset, of Bradford South CID, said it was the most concentrated spree of burglaries he had experienced. But he warned that police believed they knew the identities of the culprits and would not rest until they were caught.

He said: "This was an extremely frightening experience for a lot of elderly people. These people literally went from home to home, kicking their way in."

Victim Marjorie Bean, 76, said many elderly people in the area were now afraid to live in their own homes.

Angina sufferer Mrs Bean, who has lived alone since her husband moved into a nursing home, was putting her hearing aid on when she saw one of the culprits breaking in at 5.15am.

She screamed at him and he ran away. "It was terrifying. He was a really stocky man," she said. A 67-year-old man, of Rushmoor Close, who was too scared to be named, also interrupted one of the culprits.

He said: "It is frightening when something like this happens to you. It makes you feel so vulnerable. I am just so thankful that he ran off. We are too old to fight back."

His 65-year-old next door neighbour was not so lucky.

He was recovering from a stroke at his sister's home when the pair broke in and stole his record collection.

Police today promised a high presence in the area until the pair are caught.

Det Sgt Bisset said night time patrols by uniformed officers would continue through the weekend.

Anyone with information is asked to ring Sgt Bisset on (01274) 376485.

Police today arrested a 22-year-old man at his home address in Holme Wood in connection with the crimes.