Colne scrap metal thieves broke into dead man's house (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Colne scrap metal thieves broke into dead man's house

3:58pm Wednesday 14th December 2011 in Colne By Tyrone Marshall, Reporter

SCRAP metal thieves who broke into a man’s house days after he died have been slammed as “deplorable”.

The house of 64-year-old Chris Rose, of Collingwood Street, Colne, was broken into just days after he died.

Police said his house was ransacked and a batch of scrap metal and a hi-vis jacket were stolen from the property.

Mr Rose’s family had cleared his property of valuables just a day before the break-in, but that did not deter the thieves from taking whatever they could get.

Coun Graham Roach, who had known Mr Rose for six or seven years, said: “This is a deplorable action and is unforgivable. It is incredible to think how low people will stoop. Chris was a good bloke.

“And he didn’t deserve to have this happen to him.

“His family had taken away a lot of the valuables but shortly after some low life has forced his way in and ransacked it for anything he can get.

“I don’t understand how people can do that in today’s society.”

Mr Rose died at his home on Wednesday, November 23.

Police said the burglary had occurred between November 25 and 27 and said the property could have been targeted deliberately.

Insp Phil Davies, Pendle geographic inspector, said: “I have been in policing for 25 years and sadly nothing surprises me.”

Anybody with information on the theft is asked to call police on 01254 298208 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.