Cruel thieves are targeting old folk

DESPICABLE distraction thefts, which saw a 90-year-old woman robbed in the street, have prompted warnings from Oldham police.

Between December 1 last year and February 28 13 distraction thefts were recorded by police across the borough.

The thieves dupe innocent people with tactics including offering them cheap jewellery and placing it on their hands or neck before stealing the victim's own jewellery.

Another method sees the offender approach people using ATMs. The culprit bumps into them before stealing their bank cards, cash and wallets.

Men and women have also been known to go up to members of the public - sometimes holding a child - and hysterically ask where the nearest hospital is. While the victim tries to help, they are then targeted by other offenders who steal their property.

On February 26 at 12.30pm a man and a woman pulled a ring and necklace off a 90-year-old woman on Hollins Road.

On February 8, two men approached a man at an ATM in Market Square, Royton, and told him he had dropped £10. When the 66-year-old got home he realised his wallet and card had been taken.

The offenders are both men and women, between 20 and 40 years of age, and are described as olive-skinned and speaking with foreign accents.

Police ask the public to keep cash and bank cards in handbags and secure pockets, to cover high-value jewellery and be aware at cash machines.

Det Insp James Faulkner, from GMP's Oldham borough, said: "These are despicable crimes where the perpetrators prey on the trusting nature of innocent members of the public, targeting elderly people in particular.

"Although force was used in some of the incidents, thankfully no one has been seriously injured. However, crimes such as this can have a huge impact on the victim emotionally and can make them scared to go about their daily lives.

"We are doing everything to find the people responsible. I would urge everyone to take care of their cash and cards and keep them in closed handbags and secure pockets.

"Try to cover high-value jewellery and, when using a cash machine, please be aware of anyone in the immediate area and shield your PIN number."

Anyone with information about the offenders should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.