Detectives reveal cash haul was made up of old style £10 notes
POLICE are appealing to bankers to keep an eye out for old style £10 notes after an elderly man’s life savings were stolen.
The 82-year-old man returned to his home on Penn Street, Heywood, to find he had been burgled and a quantity of money was stolen.
It is believed the money was taken between 9.30pm and 11.30pm on Wednesday, May 6.
The offender is thought to have forced entry into the flat.
A 16-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of burglary in connection to the incident.
He has since been released pending further investigation.
The money has not been recovered.
Detectives have said the cash was made up of old £10 paper notes.
Officers are appealing to bank employees to remain vigilant and keep an eye out for large numbers of old bank notes being deposited.
Sergeant Andrew Toward, of GMP’s Rochdale division, said: “This is a truly sickening and abhorrent incident in which an offender broke into the home of a vulnerable, elderly member of our community and stole all of his life savings.
“Although the victim was not in at the time, he has been left feeling understandably shaken and frightened by the incident which has violated the safety and sanctity of his own home.
“He is currently being supported by our officers who remain committed to investigating this case and bringing those responsible to justice.
“I believe there is someone out there that has knowledge of this incident, and I am appealing for anyone who may have any information at all that can help us to identify those responsible for this burglary to please come forward and contact police as soon as possible.”
According to a post on the GMP Heywood Facebook page, the man was intending to use the cash to redecorate his home and purchase an automatic car.
Police have appealed to the community to help redecorate the man’s flat instead and have asked local businesses to provide furniture if possible.
Anybody who is interested in helping has been asked to contact officers by sending a message to their Facebook page.
Anyone with information should contact police on 0161 856 8606, quoting incident number 3342 of 6/5/20. Reports can also be made anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.