Pensioner threatened in home by burglar

The offender broke into the house on Old Whint Road, Haydock, at around 4am on Thursday and ransacked the downstairs.

He then went upstairs where the only occupant, a woman in her 80s, was and threatened her before demanding cash and searching through her drawers.

The victim took the offender downstairs and gave him her purse, which is described as being black. He then fled on foot through the back door.

The woman was uninjured but left extremely distressed by her ordeal. She later discovered a gold wrist watch had also been taken.

The offender is described as white, around 5ft 7in tall, of slim build and in his twenties. He spoke with a local accent and was wearing a black hooded top.

Detective constable Roy Waller said: “This is a despicable crime and I can only imagine how terrifying it must have been for this woman.

“Everyone should be able to feel safe in their own home and I want to reassure residents that incidents like this are extremely rare. We are doing everything we can to establish the full circumstances and trace the man responsible.

“I would also urge people to keep their homes secure. In this case, the house was secure, but longer days and rising temperatures mean lots of people are spending more time outside.

“The summer months can be an invitation to criminals on the lookout for insecure houses and sheds to burgle or bicycles to steal.

“There can be a temptation to leave doors and windows open or unlocked as the weather gets warmer, but please remember to be vigilant. Burglars are opportunists so please don’t make it easy for them.

“I would appeal to the public to contact us if they have any information on this incident. Any information, no matter how small, could help our investigation.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Merseyside Police on 0151 7776013 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.