Plea to catch burglar who targeted nan

Connah Strickland was left furious after his 92-year-old great grandmother’s home was raided.

Connah, who lives next door to his great grandmother, in Westmorland Avenue, Blackpool, gave chase to the thief but was unable to catch him as he made off with two purses and house keys.

“It’s disgraceful,” said Connah. “Targeting an elderly lady like that. We need to catch this man.

“He needs to be behind bars for what he’s done.”

Connah, 24, described how what started as a regular doorstep call turned into a nightmare.

He said: “This guy turned up, knocking on the door, out of the blue, offering to clean my great gran’s wheelie bins.

“While she’s gone to sort out the bins he’s gone in the house and taken her purse.

“After that he’s carried on like nothing’s happened.

“But I’ve seen and I’ve chased him down the street.”

Connah found the thief’s escape had been captured on CCTV cameras and posted still images online.

“It’s already gone viral,” he said. “Hopefully we can get these out there and identify who this is.”

The thief got away with very little but did take the keys to the house.

Connah believes he intended to return to the scene of the crime.

He said: “The purses didn’t contain much, maybe £20. But he’s got the keys.

“We’ve changed the locks so there’s no chance he can get back in.”

Lancashire Police confirmed it was investigating a burglary in Westmorland Avenue and appealed for anyone with information on the theft to come forward.

A spokesman said: “We were called at 2.45pm on Wednesday to reports of a burglary in Westmorland Avenue.

“Somebody has knocked on the door and distracted the occupant.

“We understand he was posing as a wheelie bin cleaner and when the occupant has gone to open the gate he has entered the house.

“Two purses were removed from the property.”

Anyone with information should call 101 quoting log number 805 of September 21.