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Issued by GMP Press Office at 12.15pm


Scam artists stole a woman's bankcard and used it to fraudulently withdraw cash.

It happened at an Asda store on Edge Green Lane in Golborne at about 1pm on 14 November 2009.

The victim, 53, was using the self-service checkout when one of the offenders sneakily watched her enter her bankcard details into a chip-and-pin device.

She then followed the woman to her car and distracted her by asking for change for a £2 coin. While she was distracted trying to find some change, the thief stole her bankcard and went back to the supermarket.

The thief then handed the car over to her accomplice, who immediately withdrew some cash from the victim's account. The couple then drove off in a red hatchback.

Police have now released CCTV stills of the offenders to try and stop them in their tracks.

The woman is described as white, in her 30s, about 5ft 10in tall, with black tied-back hair and wearing a black jacket, black skirt and brown scarf. She spoke with an eastern European accent. The man was also white, in his late 30s, about 6ft tall with short black hair and...

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Issued: 2 March 2010

Householders in Leigh are being warned not to leave garden tools lying around outside their homes.

Shovels and spades were used by burglars to force open doors and windows on four occasions during February.             

Sergeant Simon Monks of the Leigh Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “Residents need to ensure that tools are stored in sheds or garages that are always kept locked.   

“Burglars are always on the look out for opportunities and leaving a shovel in the garden could provide them with the means to break into your home.  It’s important for people to help police by making things as hard as possible for criminals.”

To contact the Leigh Neighbourhood Policing Team call 0161 856 7225 or email leigh.apt@gmp.police.uk   

For non-emergency calls or to report crime call police on 0161 872 5050 or for more information visit gmp.police.uk/wigan     

Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.   

Use 999 only in emergencies where there is a threat to life or crime in progress.

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Issued by GMP Press Office

A 14-year-old boy was taken to hospital after colliding with a car as he was leaving school.

The collision took place at about 4.10pm on Wednesday 25 February 2010, on Wigan Road, near to a mini-roundabout at the junction of Newton Road.
He collided with a Honda Civic as he was crossing the road.

The boy was taken to Wigan Royal Infirmary for a scan to a head injury, but his condition is not believed to be serious.

Witnesses to the collision should call traffic police on 0161 856 7201.

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Issued by GMP Press Office


Police are appealing for the public's help in tracing a man missing from his home in Leigh.

John Boardman, 29, from Leigh, was last seen at about 11.30am on Monday 15 February 2010 by staff at Wigan Royal Infirmary.

John had gone to hospital the previous day complaining of stomach pains but discharged himself.

He is described as a white man, 5ft 5in tall, of slim build, with blue eyes and short brown hair. When he was last seen, he was wearing a black bomber jacket, black t-shirt, navy tracksuit bottoms, white Reebok trainers, a thick gold bracelet and a thick gold necklace.

John was due to go on holiday to Cornwall last week with a friend but failed to keep the arrangements they had made.

Sergeant Will Halliday, based at Leigh Police Station, said: "John wasn't well when he was last seen and that is obviously very worrying for his family, friends and us.

"John has never gone missing before and he was very much looking forward to the holiday he has now missed.

"If anyone has seen him, knows where he is or John, if you are reading or can hear this ap...

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Police are trying to trace the son of a man who died at his home on Bolton Road in Atherton.

Thomas Green (born 04/03/1954), died of natural causes on 10 February 2010.

It is known Thomas had a son who has previously lived in Leigh and would now be in his 30s.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Coroner's Liaison Officer on 0161 856 7962.