Thieves rob 88-year-old man and wife

Date article online: 12/05/2008

Thieves stole cash from an unsuspecting elderly couple in Rochdale during a distraction burglary.

At about 12pm on Wednesday 7 May 2008, the 88-year-old man and wife answered the door to a man and a woman who had visited the house the previous week and made arrangements to attend to the garden.

The couple let themselves into the house, on Belfield Lane, Firgrove, and the man asked to use the upstairs toilet. They left a short time later.

After they had left, the elderly couple realised two purses and a wallet had been stolen from the living room containing about £130 in cash.

The male offender is described as white, about 20 to 25 years old, 5ft 9in tall, of slim build and with short dark brown hair. He was clean shaven and was wearing a white or grey T-shirt. The woman was also white, in her early 20s, medium to large build, with brown shoulder length hair and wearing a multi-coloured flowery dress.

The same couple are also believed to have called at the house on 2 May 2008 and took away some railings for scrap metal in a small blue van.

Detective Constable Nick Price, based at Rochdale CID, said: "The actions of these thieves are completely reprehensible. They preyed on the vulnerabilities of an elderly couple and invaded their home - and their privacy - just to get their hands on a very small quantity of cash.

"But however small the amount was, the effect on the victims cannot be measured. They are both very upset and no one should be made to feel that way.

"Inquiries are ongoing to trace these two individuals and I would appeal to the public to help us. If two people matching their descriptions turn up at your door looking for work, contact the police immediately."

Anyone with information is asked to call Rochdale CID on 0161 856 4646 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.