A man claiming he wanted to check the water in a Middleton home stole jewellery from an 86-year-old woman

A man claiming he wanted to check the water in a Middleton home stole jewellery from an 86-year-old woman.

At about 12pm on Tuesday 23 December 2014 the woman was at home in The Meadows, when she heard a knock on the front door. When she opened it there was a man who told her there was a problem with the water and that he needed to check it. She let him in and he went into the kitchen, turned on the taps and told the woman that she should turn the taps off when the water stopped, and that she needed to empty her cupboards in the kitchen as the items may be contaminated.

Whilst the woman was busy doing this, a second man had entered her house and gone upstairs and was searching her rooms. After about ten minutes the second man came downstairs and the woman saw that both men were stood in her dining room. At this point the woman’s neighbour walked in to the kitchen and the men fled through the front door. The men had smashed the patio door and it was later discovered that they had stolen five rings from the woman:

• Engagement Ring - Gold band with three diamonds in a straight line 
• Dress Ring - Gold band with five rubies in a flower design 
• Dress Ring - Gold band with diamonds and rubies on it in an alternate pattern in a straight line. 
• Dress Ring - Gold band with five yellow stones set into the gold band. 
• Eternity Ring - Gold band with yellow stones built into the band that go all around the ring. 

Police are appealing for witnesses and information.

The first man is described as white, in his late twenties or early thirties, between 5ft 7in and 5ft 8in tall, fat, with short black curly hair with a fringe, thick kips and was wearing a beige raincoat.

The second man is described as white, in his thirties, smaller than the first man, of skinny build, a thin face, had dark hair and was wearing a bob hat and dark-coloured coat.

Detective Constable Andy Robinson of Rochdale Division said: “Targeting an elderly woman in this way is despicable and it was a terrifying ordeal for the victim. We are determined to catch whoever did this and stop them from doing this to other vulnerable people.

“The stolen rings are of sentimental value to the woman and she is extremely upset, so if you have been offered any of the rings please contact police immediately.

“I would ask anyone who may have seen these two men in the area or you believe you have been approached by them, to contact us.

“I would like to remind the community to ask for identification before letting people into your home. Even if they do and you have your doubts about them, you do not have to let them in.

“People are concerned about this may also consider setting up passwords with their utility company so that if someone from the company knocks at the door, they can ask for the password before opening the door.”

Anyone with information should phone police on 0161 856 9701 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.