Con-man targets 85-year-old’s flat

THE man police wish to question

POLICE have issued an efit picture of a man they are hunting after he tried to con his way in to an 85-year-old pensioner’s flat in Coldhurst.

The victim was at his home on Ramsden Street when he answered a knock at the door between noon and 1pm on November 1.

A man was standing outside and asked to check his radiators, but the householder was immediately suspicious because the man was not wearing a uniform and did not have any identification.

When the pensioner challenged him, the man walked away towards Belmont Road.

He is described as white, aged between 40 and 50, 5ft 8ins tall, with stubble on his chin and short unkempt greying black hair.

He was wearing a dark-coloured jacket and dark dirty trousers.

Police Constable Mike Bundy, from Oldham’s Volume Crime Team, said: “Fortunately, the man did exactly the right thing by not letting someone into his house who did not have identification, which meant he left empty-handed.

“People who prey on pensioners like this are cowardly and devious because they target vulnerable residents.

“They can be quite plausible, so I would warn elderly people especially not to let anyone into their home unless it has been pre-arranged.

“It is important people remain vigilant and look out for the older members of the community.

“We all have a shared responsibility to protect the elderly and vulnerable people in our community, and this includes being alert to the fact that these type of crimes are being committed.

“A genuine caller would always attend by appointment and carry identification.

“If you ever have any doubts as to whether a caller is genuine, or you don’t feel comfortable with the situation, don’t let them in.”

Anyone with any information should call police on 0161-856 9577 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.