Two sought after elderly are targeted

Do you recognise these two men?

Officers want to speak to two men after the houses of elderly people in North Manchester were burgled while they were distracted.

On Friday, June 22, 2018, in three separate incidents, it was reported to police that two men had approached houses and told people they were from either a gas or water company.

In the first incident around 11.30am on Goodman Street, Harpurhey, the resident – a woman in her 70s – became suspicious and informed one of the men that she doesn’t have a gas supply to the property.

On raising her concern, the other man barged passed her and into the house. He tried to look round the property but was ushered out by the woman.

That evening, around 6.35pm, on Wilton Road, Crumpsall, a man in his 90s heard a knock at the door.

Once inside the address, a man purporting to be from the waterboard, turned the taps on in the kitchen before going into the living room and asking the resident for money.

While he made his demands, another man entered the house and searched through some drawers upstairs before quickly leaving the property.

Apart from the small amount of cash taken from the man, nothing else appears to have been taken.

A short time later, around 6.45pm, on Victoria Avenue, Blackley, a woman in her 80s answered the door to a man who told her he needed to check the meter and go upstairs in her house.

The woman refused him entry but, as she went to raise the alarm with a neighbour, a second man entered the house and both of them searched the address. They left with a purse with a small amount of cash inside it.

From the enquiries officers have carried out, the three incidents are thought to be linked and two men, who the investigation team want to speak to in connection with the incident, are encouraged to come forward.

Police Constable Dave Fenton of GMP’s City of Manchester Division, said: “Whoever is committing these heartless crimes is clearly targeting the elder people in our society to take advantage of their good nature with no regard for the effect they have caused.

“In a foolish attempt to get a quick win by taking money or prized possessions from innocent, defenceless people, the offenders have frightened and upset them, leaving them scared in their own homes.

“Please study the images we’ve released and get in touch with us if you have any information that could help us or if you recognise the men.”

Anyone with information should contact police on 0161 856 3925 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

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