An elderly woman was targeted by distraction burglary at her home on Friday. The offence took place between 1 p.m. and 2.30 p.m. at a terraced house on Grane Road, Haslingden, near the courtyard industrial unit.
Police have made an appeal for witness to come forward with any information they might have in the case.
The 80 year old victim suffering from dementia was engaged in a conversation by a man outside her house about guttering work.
He told her that she owed him £60 and then followed the victim into her house where she felt intimidated and handed over the money.
Det. Insp. Jeremy Holland, from Pennine CID, said the victim was elderly and suffered from slight dementia making this offence even more disturbing as she could have been targeted only due to her vulnerability.
Distraction burglary is a heartless crime which can have a devastating impact on older people, both emotionally and financially.
The thieves engaged in such cheating are calculating and can be very convincing. Though the police have received only one case reported to it there was a possibility that this man could be targeting elderly people in the area hence there was an appeal made to the people to be vigilant and report any suspicious behaviour to police Insp. Holland added.