Trickster targets elderly woman in her own home

A PURSE was stolen from an elderly woman in a distraction burglary on Wednesday afternoon.

A man approached a house in Gower Street, Oldham, and asked if he could search for his child's ball that had gone into her garden between 3 and 3.15pm.

Vigilant

The woman let him into the garden and he pushed the victim into the wall and then into the kitchen, where he pushed her to the floor and stole money from her purse.

The man is described as black or Asian, about 40-years-old, 5ft 10 tall, with short dark hair and unshaven. He was wearing a grey vest with a blue denim coat and jeans.

Police are appealing for information and urging residents to be vigilant.

Detective Constable Kate Dawson, of GMP's Oldham Borough, said: "This man preyed on the helpfulness of an elderly woman to get into her house and steal from her.

"We would ask residents to remain vigilant and only let people onto their property who they are expecting or who can provide identification.

"If anyone sees any suspicious behaviour in their neighbourhood, I would urge them to call police."

Anyone with information should call police on 0161-856 9063 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800-555 111.