Bingo to Help Warn OAPs about Distraction Burglaries

by Lucy Barratt

A special Bingo session has been lined up at the Mecca Bingo Club in Breightmet, Bolton in a bid to help warn OAPs about distraction burglaries, due to a spate of them taking place across the town.

This bingo session should give authorities the chance to give advice to lots of pensioners at the same time, thus spreading the word very quickly.

This special event will be taking place at the Mecca Bingo club on Friday morning between 9.30am and noon. It has been set up by the police, united utilities, trading standards and victim support.

The Bolton news reported that officers are investigating 23 (distraction burglary) incidences this year already and it is thought that conmen have gotten away with more than £20,000 worth of cash from elderly victims – Which is absolutely disgusting statistics.

The last distraction burglary incident reportedly involved a 66 year old man being targeted by three conmen claiming to be drainage workers. They are said to have conned their way into the poor man’s house where they proceeded to steal cash from him. Makes you feel sick!

Bolton Crime reduction adviser Chris Waters said: “These criminals prey on the most vulnerable in society, conning them out of or stealing vast sums of money, which in many cases is their life savings.”

Not only will this special bingo session that is being held at Mecca Bingo give the pensioners the necessary advice they need to help prevent more of these cowardly acts of crime, but they will be in line to win some great prize as well, all of which have been donated by local companies.

If you would like to attend the planned bingo session at Mecca Bingo or you know someone who could benefit from going – the number 471 bus from stand F at Bolton bus station in moor lane will be running every 10 minutes to the event on Friday morning. Alternatively you can contact Chris Walters on 0161 8565764, for more info about the bingo.