A vulnerable man was woken in the middle of the night at his Leigh home by a burglar posing as a police officer.
The 52-year-old man was sleeping on Sunday evening when he heard a knock at the door of his Warrington Road home.
When he asked who was there the man replied claiming he was from the police. When he opened the door he was pushed to the floor.
The frightened victim was ordered to his bedroom and told to stay there while the offender searched the house.
He then grabbed the disabled man’s television before leaving the property.
Detective Constable Richard Willoughby said: “The victim is disabled, has learning difficulties and it is a disgrace that someone has taken advantage of him in this way.
“He genuinely believed there was a police officer on the other side of the door and when he opened it, he was pushed to the ground.
“We believe there may have been two other people standing outside, also wearing black bob hats so I would appeal to anyone who may have seen these men to contact us.”
The offender is described as white, tall and wore a black bob hat, black tracksuit top and grey tracksuit pants.
A 36-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of burglary and released on police bail until July 10, 2014.
Police are still appealing for information regarding the incident.
Det Const Willoughby added: “I would also like to remind people to always ask for ID. If they supply ID and you are still not happy, do not let them in.
“A genuine caller would not want to cause distress and would come back if you wanted a family member or a trusted neighbour with you.”
Anyone with information should phone police on 0161 856 7225 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Image courtesy of Google Maps, with thanks.
