Conmen gang attack elderly man on doorstep

AN elderly man was attacked and threatened with a screwdriver after he was lured out his home by a bogus caller.

The fraudster called at the victim’s Stockport home on Saturday, January 5 claiming he was from a tree-felling company.

He told the man, who is in his late 70s, that he had been called to the address to chop down his trees.

When the victim questioned the conman, he was ushered outside.

When the victim arrived back at his front door, on Dean Moor Road in Hazel Grove, he found four men had smashed into his home, police said.

The gang threatened him with a screwdriver and assaulted him, before stealing his wallet - which was full of cash - and jewellery.

The men then left the scene in a red car following the robbery, which happened at about 5.20pm.

Police said the victim suffered minor injuries, but has been left ‘traumatised’ by the attack.

Officers are warning others of the ‘cowardly’ and ‘cynical’ scam.

Det Con Michael Dever, of Greater Manchester Police’s Stockport Division, said: “This is a cowardly and cynical robbery. These offenders have deliberately targeted someone whom they knew to be a vulnerable member of our community.

“The offenders’ mode of operation in this case is distinctive, and it’s possible they may have tried to target others in the area with the same ploy.

“Have you seen or heard of others in the area receiving unsolicited approaches by people claiming to be from a treefelling company?

“Perhaps you saw the car in the area at the time of the offence, or you have information that you think can assist our enquiries.

“If so, please contact us immediately. Even the smallest piece of information is often enough to solve crimes like this.”

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161 856 9770, quoting incident 1462 of January 5.