Atherton Online

An elderly man's wallet was stolen from his home in Hindley by a bogus caller

At 11:30am on February 6th the thief approached the 64 year old's house on Worcester Avenue asking if the occupant would like to buy cigarettes.

As the victim walked into his bedroom to get money, the thief stole a wallet that was on a dressing room table before running off.

Police released a description of the thief as a white male, between 5ft 8in and 5ft 11in tall, thin build, in his late 30s/early 40s and had short, dark cropped hair. He was wearing a grey and yellow hooded top that was tied around his waist and he was carrying a shopping bag.

Inspector Anne Scott said: "This man preyed upon his victim's vulnerability and talked his way into the house. Once he saw an opportunity to steal the money, he took it and has left his victim feeling insecure in his own home.

"There have been similar thefts like this in Hindley and I would urge elderly and vulnerable members of the community to have their wits about them."

Anyone with information should phone 0161 856 7436 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111

Police have issued images of two men they want to speak to after a group of teenagers were robbed while waiting for parents to pick them up.

At around 8.40pm on Wednesday 25 January 2012, a group of five teenagers were standing in the Asda car park, off Ladies Lane, Hindley, waiting for their parents to arrive.

The two offenders walked up to them and asked them to hand over their cash. When they refused, the robbers punched and kicked of the victims, a 13-year-old boy, before searching his pockets and stealing his mobile phone.

Police are trying to trace relatives of a Leigh man who recently died.

John Wood, 66, died on 19 January 2012, after being found at his home on Bond Street in Leigh.

There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death, but one of John's daughter says there may be more relatives who ought to be traced, including children from a different relationship and a sister.

John has always lived in Leigh or Lowton.

As many of you will know, recently Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke announced plans to ban convicted criminals from claiming under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Act (CICA). Alongside this Clarke is planning on blocking claims for minor injuries and cutting overall reward amounts.

Get down to St Richards Parish Center Thursday 9th February to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Atherton’s Women’s Institute! Because of this special occasion we will be celebrating our big birthday bash with dinner and dancing.

The Women’s Institute (WI) is the largest voluntary organization for women in the UK with over 21,000 members. Offering help, friendship or a place to voice your opinions and improve our community Atherton WI meets on the second Thursday of every month at 7:30pm. Every meeting we have the pleasure of a different guest speaker ranging from Historians to Belly Dancers so there is certainly something to suit everyone’s taste.

Money and cigarettes were stolen during a robbery in Wigan.

At 9.25pm on Monday 23 January 2012, three men walked into the Co-op store on Gadfield Grove, Atherton. One of them was carrying a hammer.

They demanded two staff members lay on the floor before they put a large amount of cigarettes in bed sheets.

Money was taken from the tills and all three left in a grey Ford Focus with the registration X668. The number plates and been stolen from the Leigh area the previous night.

A New Age Kurling festival was held on Friday the 27th January 2012 as part of Atherton Primary Sports Association (APSA) commitment to the Get Set Network of schools supporting The Olympics. The popular target sport of New Age Kurling is a form of the original curling game. It has been adapted so that it can be played indoors on any smooth, flat surface such as a sports hall, rather than on ice. Importantly, the game can be played by both able-bodied and disabled people of all ages.

Police are appealing for the public’s help to trace the next of kin of a Wigan woman.

Winnifred Senior (born 12/02/1937), died on 12 January 2012.

At the time of her death she lived at Acorns Care Centre in Hindley.

There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding her death.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Police Coroners Officer on 0161 856 7962

A boy has been attacked and robbed in Astley.

On the evening of the 16th January 2012, the 17-year-old was walking along Merlewood Drive when he was approached from behind by a group of men. The boy was then hit by one of the men causing him to fall to the floor where he was hit again.

The offenders demanded the boy's mobile phone and stole his headphones.

The victim was not badly injured, but has been left very shaken.

Detonators have been stolen by thieves who broke into a building site on Bolton Road in Atherton.

The unknown offenders stole three mobile phones and six bright, yellow rail detonators between the evening of Tuesday 24th January 2012 and early Wednesday morning.