Pensioner flees bare foot from intruders

A pensioner fled bare foot while offenders tried to break into her house in Middleton.

At about 8.30pm on Sunday 22 April 2012, a 72-year-old woman heard a number of unknown offenders trying to force their way in through the back door of her house on Heywood Old Road.

Fearing for her safety, she ran out of the house, where a neighbour saw her in distress and called police.

Officers attended within three minutes but the offenders had already escaped.

They did not manage to get into her house.

Detective Constable Mike Armstrong, of the Volume Crime Team, said: “The victim was so scared that she ran into the street in nothing more than her nightdress.

“She is obviously extremely upset at having her home targeted in this manner and the best reassurance we could provide to make her feel safe is to bring the offenders to justice.

“I want anyone who knows who is responsible to think about how they would feel if this had happened to their mother or grandmother and to come forward with information.

“If you saw anything last night or have heard someone talking about this, please don’t disregard it as irrelevant information or idle gossip but instead get in touch as it could be vital information.”

Anyone with information is asked to call the Volume Crime Team on 0161 856 4643, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.