‘I don’t feel safe anymore’

Date published: 31 July 2014


CALLOUS thieves stole £1,200 from a vulnerable pensioner’s bag in Oldham town centre after she withdrew the cash to pay into her savings account.

Lilian Brown, of Chadderton, visited NatWest, Yorkshire Street, so she could pay the cash into her ISA as she was unfamiliar with modern bank transfers.

The 74-year-old — who lost her husband to cancer in 2007 and recently finished gruelling chemotherapy and radiotherapy after being diagnosed with breast cancer — has been left worried and fearful.

Mrs Brown said: “I’ve lived in Oldham all my life and have always felt safe — but not any more.

“This past year has been really bad for me.

“I’ve worked very hard to stay positive through all my treatment, but this has devastated me.

Mrs Brown visited Tommyfield Market and Iceland before heading to the bus station to get home which is when she realised the money had been taken.

She had intended to take the money to pay in at Santander the following day but realised on the bus that the envelope containing the cash had been swiped.

Anyone with information should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
To read the full version of this story see the Chronicle’s E-chron digital edition or buy the newspaper.