Police help elderly Telford couple following theft of life savings

The couple, who are aged in their eighties and from the Dawley area, received £300 from the West Mercia Police Community Fund after they were the victims of a theft at their home.

Around £1,000 was stolen from their property some time between November last year and January this year. It is believed it may have been stolen while workmen carried out repair work at the address towards the end of last year.

The couple were so upset by the theft that Community Support Officer Sarah Roskell applied to the Police Community Fund for help. She also approached local businesses in the area.

A total of £300 was awarded to the couple by West Mercia Police Community Fund. Tesco donated £50 in vouchers and B&Q donated £20 in vouchers.

CSO Roskell said that the donations had restored the couple's faith in humanity.

She said: "The couple were very upset and disturbed by the incident as they had been saving up the money to redecorate once repair work had been completed. This money was all their savings.

"The elderly woman could only think that the money had been taken when the work had been undertaken at the property. As her husband had been ill in hospital she didn't notice the money missing for a while.

"The incident had clearly shaken the couple up and they stated they were ‘losing faith'. I decided to try and remedy some of the harm caused by the incident by helping them gain some of the money back.

"The couple are very grateful for the kindness shown by Police, Tesco and B&Q. They said they were overwhelmed."

The Police Community Fund is a registered charity, which helps victims of crime, in particular those who are most vulnerable or are in greatest need.

Last year the Fund supported 109 victims and local community projects, granting £17,900.

In the last ten years it has donated a total of £127,968 to various individuals and local community projects.

The Fund is funded by voluntary contributions and proceeds of sales of seized property.