Medals and coins were stolen during a distraction burglary in Stockport.

September 11, 2012, 10:11 am

On Thursday 23 August 2012, a 61-year-old man returned to his house on The Drive, Marple, which he shared with his 90-year-old mum, to find a man in the living room.

He claimed he was there to inform them he was taking over the window cleaning round and had noticed the curtain rail had fallen from the front.

Following a conversation, a price was agreed the rail to be fixed and further work to be carried out on two shed roofs in the back garden. £200 was handed over to the man, who called himself ⿿Darren⿝, for materials.

View full article on Crime And Justice

Later that day, the man returned alongside another and the rail was fixed. They said they would return the next day to start work on the shed.

The offenders returned the next day at 11am and said they would start work. The 61-year-old man left the house for a few hours while his mum stayed inside.

He returned at 3pm to find work had not been finished and upstairs had been ransacked.

Coins and notes kept in display albums had been stolen alongside medals, one of which was a military medal for bravery.

One of them was a medal stitched onto a bar in the name of T.V. Rogerson, there was a UN peace keeping in Cyprus medal, and medals for duty in Northern Ireland and Zimbabwe.

The coin and note collection had been valued at about £1400.

One man, who called himself ⿿Darren⿝, is described as being white, of stocky build, 5ft 10in tall, in his 30s and spoke with a local accent. He wore a t-shirt with a logo on the back.

The second man is described as being white, of stocky build, 5ft 10in tall, in his late 20s and spoke with a local accent. He wore a yellow t-shirt with a logo on the back.

Detective Constable Matthew Whittaker from Stockport CID said: “The victim is an avid collector of these coins and medals and has been left deeply upset that someone could take advantage of the family in this way.

“He trusted the men and took their word that work would be carried out. He did not expect to come home to find they had stolen his property.

“The offenders took advantage of the fact that his mum was vulnerable and elderly and could make an easy escape.

“I would ask anyone who has come across the money or medals to do the right thing and hand them into police.”

Anyone with information should phone police on 0161 856 9755 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.