AN ELDERLY couple who were left “distressed, scared and penniless” after a distraction burglary, have been given a helping hand.
Burt Hancock, 87 and Flo Hancock, 88, from the Glyn Estate in Colwyn Bay were targeted by thieves in their home on January 29.
According to police, a young man, claiming to be from the water board entered their property. He said there had been an emergency and he had to check their water. Whilst Mr and Mrs Hancock were speaking to their visitor in the kitchen, a second person entered their home and stole £400 from their bedroom.
The couple had been saving up for several months to buy a new mattress for their bed.
A spokeswoman for North Wales Police said: “The incident left Mr and Mrs Hancock distressed, scared and penniless. They could not bear to sleep in the bedroom in fear of persons re-entering their home and resorted to sleeping upright in their living room.” Last week Colwyn Bay bed company, Perfect Dreams, stepped forward and presented the couple with a new bed and mattress.
Donna Molyneux, owner of the Colwyn Bay bed shop, said she wanted to help the couple after their ordeal. She said: “I have a nan and grandad and if something like that happened to them I would be distraught. When I heard, I was in the position to give them a bed and mattress. They were so pleased and nearly cried. I think it had restored their faith in the people of Colwyn Bay after what happened. They said they couldn’t believe people could be so kind hearted.”
Last week police revealed that four incidents of thieves targeting the elderly had been reported during the same day. Elderly residents across Conwy and South Denbighshire were visited in their homes by con men who stole cash on Wednesday, February 24. An elderly woman at Penrhos Avenue in Llandudno Junction was also the victim of a distraction burglary. She was visited by two men at 7.15pm, who were also claiming to be from the water board. They said there was a problem with her taps and according to police they stole a quantity of cash from the property.
Inspector Martin Davies said: “These offences all occurred on the same day. In two of the offences the offenders purported to be water board officials, and in the main the victims have been elderly. “With the better weather approaching we are urging people to be extra vigilant and to be mindful of bogus officials and rogue traders.”
Mr and Mrs Hancock thanked the police, their friends and neighbours and the bed store, for their support following the robbery. Representatives of Conwy County Borough Council improved the safety of their home.
Mrs Hancock said: “I cannot believe the generosity and I am truly speechless. Everyone has been so kind, I don’t know what we have done to deserve this. Perfect dreams really have turned this nightmare into a perfect dream.”
Police are appealing to anyone who may have information relating the burglary or who may have seen people acting suspiciously in the area to contact officers at Colwyn Bay Police Station on 101, 0845 6071001 (Welsh line), 0845 60710012 (English line) or Crimestoppers Wales anonymously on 0800 555111. Alternatively send a text message to 66767 or email northwalespolice@north-wales.police.uk.