Man and child trick kind-hearted pensioner

A HEARTLESS robber stole from a 78-year-old woman in her own home with the help of a young female accomplice.

The man, accompanied by a girl aged 11 or 12, knocked on the door of the victim’s home in Meldrum Street just before 4pm on Saturday.

The elderly woman let the pair in after the girl asked if they could look at the Yellow Pages.

She left them in the living room while she got the book and then left them to browse.

When she returned, she found the pair had fled, and that her purse and house keys had been taken from her handbag.

Det-Con Jenna Linaker, from Oldham Volume Crime Team, said: “This type of crime is despicable but the fact that a young girl was involved makes it even more shocking.

“The victim thought she was safe and the request was genuine and she has been left upset by the incident.

“I would urge all elderly and vulnerable members of the community to be vigilant against this type of crime and to remain cautious.”

The girl is described as being 4ft 7in to 4ft 10in tall with mousey, shoulder-length hair.

The man is thought to be in his 20s, of stocky build and around 5ft 6in tall. He wore a blue woolly hat, dark waist-length jacket and blue trousers.

Police have now issued a warning to vulnerable home-owners.

Det-Con Linaker said: “Stop and think before you open the door. If possible, look out of the window or use a door viewer to check whether you know the caller.

“If you have a door bar or chain, put it on before opening the door and don’t open the door completely until you are happy with the caller’s identity.”

Anyone with any information should contact police on 0161 856 9577.