Elderly woman has weapon held to her throat in Oldham raid

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It was shortly after 6pm on Friday (8th February) when police were called to reports of a robbery at a property on Haven Lane in Moorside.

Three men burst through the rear patio doors of a property before approaching the homeowner – a woman in her 80s – in the living room and threatening her with a weapon, believed to have been a chisel.

Two of the robbers set about ransacking the woman’s home whilst the third offender held the weapon to her throat and ordered her not to move.

The trio then fled on foot with a quantity of stolen cash.

The robbers have been described as white men, all wearing black clothing including gloves and balaclavas. One of the men also wore a grey scarf.

Detective Inspector Alison Whittaker, of Greater Manchester Police’s Oldham district, said: “It is beyond comprehension that anyone could threaten an innocent elderly woman in her own home and genuinely make her fear for her life.

“Thankfully she wasn’t injured but she has been left incredibly shaken by this ordeal and we’re determined to catch the cowards responsible for this shocking incident.

“I would urge anyone that saw anyone acting suspiciously in the area around the time of the attack or anyone with any information to get in touch with police as soon as possible.”

Anyone with information should called police on 0161 856 2247 quoting incident number 1652 of 08/02/2019, or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

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