Pensioner victimised in bogus official burglary

A pensioner was the victim of two bogus officials, who robbed a sum of cash from her home on Mercers Road in Heywood.

At around 4.40pm on Saturday 22 August the 84-year old woman answered the door to a man who told her she is going to be flooded and he needed to turn off her water supply.
She let him into her home and they went into the kitchen. Meanwhile a second man came in through the open front door and stole a quantity of cash from the living room.

The victim then saw the second man and tried to raise the alarm with a neighbour, but the first man tried to hold her back to prevent her leaving the house.

She wriggled free and both men ran off.

The woman was left uninjured but deeply upset by her ordeal.

The first man is described as white, with a medium build, about 5ft 6in tall with a plump face and wearing dark clothing. The second man was also white, about 5ft 10in tall and wearing a dark cap.

Detective constable Ben Harris, of Rochdale CID, said: "These callous criminals preyed on an elderly woman in her own home and need to be caught.

"Thankfully she was not injured when they tried to prevent her raising the alarm, but these men are potentially dangerous.

"If anyone saw these men acting suspiciously in the area they should call Rochdale CID on 0161 856 4646 or independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."