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Police appeal over shocking burglary of elderly woman’s home on Christmas Eve

It was also her birthday.

Daisy Jackson - 28th December 2023

An elderly woman has been the victim of a shocking burglary on Christmas Eve – which also happened to be her 77th birthday.

She had been relaxing at home watching television when she heard a loud bang and faced three men who had smashed through her patio doors.

The woman was then made to stay in the kitchen with one of the men while the others ransacked her home.

They made off with her handbag, which contained £50 in cash, her bank card, her bus pass, and other personal items.

Greater Manchester Police are now appealing for any information relating to the incident, which they say has left the victim ‘terrified and fearful within her own home’.

The burglary occured at around 6pm on Sunday 24 December – also the woman’s birthday – on Saxon Street in north Manchester.

The victim contacted the police as soon as the three perpetrators fled.

The suspects were described as wearing all-black attire, including black hats. The individual who stood with the victim in her kitchen during the ordeal was estimated to be around 6 feet tall, wearing a black hat, jacket, trousers, and gloves.

Officers are now appealing for information, especially CCTV, doorbell, or dashcam footage. Officers also want to speak to anyone who may have witnessed the incident or any suspicious activity in the area.

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 77^th 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.”

You can report information about the Christmas Eve burglary to GMP by calling 0161 856 3955 or 101 quoting log 2411 of 24/12/2023.

You can also report information online using the ‘report’ tool or the LiveChat function here: www.gmp.police.uk

Alternatively, you can report information anonymously by calling the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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