‘Distraught’ family offer reward after elderly Oldham woman is robbed

The incident happened on Haven Lane

The distraught family of an 87-year-old Oldham woman threatened in her own home during a robbery have offered a reward in a bid to catch the callous thieves.

Shortly after 6pm on Friday, police were called to reports of a robbery at a property on Haven Lane in Moorside.

Three men smashed 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 GMP’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.”

Oldhamers responded to the reports with outrage on social media.

One of the lady’s family posted: “These three lowlives had smashed through her French doors with a pick axe before setting about ransacking her house.

“One held a chisel to her neck and threatened her not to move as the others emptied drawers and cupboards both upstairs and downstairs.

“During this the cowards wore balaclavas and gloves whilst threatening an 87-year-old women!

“They took a substantial amount of cash - from her pension. These scumbags have obviously done this kind of thing before and will continue to do so until they are caught.

“If anyone has any information, names, or locations about any of the lowlife involved there will be a reward.”

Meanwhile, police are urging anyone with information to call 0161 856 2247 quoting incident number 1652 of 08/02/2019, or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.