PRESTWICH and Whitefield suffered a mini-crime spree with handbag snatchers and bogus callers targeting elderly victims over the weekend.

The crime spree started after an 86-year-old woman in Kingswood Road, Prestwich, answered her door at 2.30pm on Friday to a couple who claimed they were charity collectors from a nearby church.

The man and woman were allowed into her home and they searched the lounge before making off with a handbag containing a small amount of cash.

Half an hour later, police were called to a house in Malton Close, Whitefield, after a 70-year-old lady woke to find two people searching her home.

When challenged, the intruders claimed they were looking for rats.

Earlier that morning a 80-year-old woman needed hospital treatment for a hand injury when she was pushed to the ground during a handbag snatch.

The incident happened at 10.45am in The Crescent at Prestwich.

An at 5.40pm on Saturday, this time in Gardener Road, also Prestwich, a 72-year female pensioner was also targeted by a handbag snatcher.

In all case only small amounts of money were taken by the thieves.

Whitefield CID on are investigating all the incidents. Anyone with information about any of the crimes can contact detectives on 0161 856 8248.