Three men forced their way into the home of a pensioner who was celebrating her birthday on Christmas Eve and ransacked it in front of her.
The woman, who was celebrating her 77th birthday on Sunday (December 24), was watching TV at around 6pm when she heard a loud bang as three men smashed their way through the rear patio doors of her house on Saxon Street, off Bradford Road in Miles Platting, north east Manchester.
As she went to investigate she was confronted by the intruders, one of whom ordered her to stay with him in the kitchen as the other ran into the house.
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They spent around five minutes searching the property and snatched the terrified victim’s handbag containing £50 in cash, her bank card, bus pass, and various personal items, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said.
They then fled with the woman immediately alerting police. A manhunt is now underway with GMP issuing an appeal for footage or information which may help their enquiry.
The culprits are described as wearing all-black, including black hats. The individual who stood with the victim during the ordeal was estimated to be around 6 feet tall, wearing a black hat, jacket, trousers, and gloves.
Detective Sergeant Terina Arthern, of GMP’s North Manchester Neighbourhood Crime Team, said: “Of course, this incident will rightly cause concern in the local community and our thoughts remain with the victim and her loved ones as she continues to recover from this ordeal.
“Understandably, the victim, who is also an elderly woman, is now terrified and fearful within her own home. On what should have been a day of celebration for her 77th birthday and Christmas Eve, she was confronted by three unknown males who shockingly stripped away her personal belongings from her own home.
“Our officers are continuing to provide support to the victim and her loved ones, offering reassurance and tailored assistance to ensure she regains a sense of safety and security. I also want to provide some further reassurance to the community that we’re doing all we can to identify those responsible and bring them to justice as soon as possible and pursuing all lines of enquiry.
“We are appealing to the public in the local area who may have seen suspicious activity around the time of the incident as your information may be vital in locating the offenders.
“If you were in the vicinity of Saxon Street, just off Bradford Road in Manchester, and witnessed any suspicious behaviour by the described men or a vehicle acting strangely in the vicinity, we urge you to come forward. Even the smallest piece of information, whether from doorbell footage, CCTV recordings, or eyewitness accounts, may help us piece together the events before and after this shocking incident.”
William Turner is a seasoned U.K. correspondent with a deep understanding of domestic affairs. With a passion for British politics and culture, he provides insightful analysis and comprehensive coverage of events within the United Kingdom.
