Warning after bogus worker burglary in Heywood

Police in Rochdale are appealing for witnesses after a bogus worker stole money from a partially-sighted elderly woman in Heywood.

Shortly before midday, yesterday, Wednesday 28 February 2007, a man knocked on the front door of a house on Farm Street and told the 88-year-old woman that he had been working on her neighbours' guttering.

He explained that he had noticed her house also needed work doing and offered to carry out this work for £30. The woman went back into the house to get the money and the offender followed her.

He then stole a quantity of cash from within the house and made off.

The offender is described as white, around 5ft 2in tall, between 50 and 60-years-old with a stocky build.

Officers are urging elderly residents in the area to not open their doors to strangers if they are in any way unsure about them.

Residents are also reminded use door bar or chain before opening the door and to always ask for ID.

Anyone who saw someone acting suspiciously around the time of this incident is asked to call Rochdale CID on 0161 856 4644 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.