Men steal money from 90-year-old woman

Two men, claiming to be gardeners, have stolen money from a 90-year-old disabled woman in Rochdale.

At around 12.00pm on Saturday 23 June 2012, a man knocked on the window of the victim’s home on Wardle Road and asked whether she needed any work doing in her garden.

He then walked round to the back of her house. She told him she did not want any work doing but mentioned a tree needed cutting.

The man walked off and returned with another man. The victim walked to the garden, leaving the door open and spoke with one of the offenders while the other man went into the kitchen and stole money from her purse.

Both then ran off.

The first man is described as being white, between 40 and 50 years old, of medium build, around 5ft 6 in tall and spoke with a local accent. He wore a blue anorak and baseball cap.

The second offender was white, in his late 20s/early 30s, around 5ft 6in tall, of large build, and had a scar on his left cheek. He was wearing a white anorak.

Police Constable John Byrne from the Volume Crime Team said: “This was a despicable crime on an elderly and vulnerable member of our community and she cannot believe that these two men have taken advantage of her in such a way.

“It is likely that the offenders will look for other opportunities to steal money or possessions from people so I would ask local neighbourhoods to be vigilant.

“If you have seen men fitting this description and acting in a suspicious manner or may have fallen victim to them, please contact police as soon as possible.”

Anyone with information should phone police on 0161 856 8635 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.