Elderly woman targeted in doorstep burglary by 'clown' on Birch Road

Sunday, 2 November 2025 20:43

By David Murphy

An elderly resident living in a Birch Road bungalow was left shaken after a burglar dressed as a clown tricked their way into her home before stealing her purse.

The incident happened on Friday night, 31 October, at the top of Birch Road, in the Wardle area of Rochdale.

Published on the Wardle Village group, the woman believed the caller was a trick-or-treater and opened her door. The individual then asked for a drink of water. When she went to fetch it, the person entered her kitchen and stole her red purse.

The purse contains a bus pass and a library card in the name D. Burroughs.

Residents in the Wardle and Birch Road area are now being asked to:

Look out for a red purse that may have been discarded
Check any home CCTV or doorbell camera footage from Friday night
Be cautious about opening the door to strangers

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact police via 101.

The motive behind the suspect's disguise remains unclear, but the use of a costume during a period when Halloween celebrations were still fresh in people’s minds appears to have been a deliberate tactic to lower suspicion.

Anyone with information, CCTV footage, or who finds a red purse matching the description, is encouraged to contact GMP via 101 or report anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something happening in our Borough?

Let us know by emailing newsdesk@rochvalleyradio.com

All contact will be treated in confidence.

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