THE manager of a sheltered housing scheme in Haverhill has hit out at the ‘scumbag’ who jumped through an open window and stole an 88-year-old man’s pension money while he slept.

Sue Jeffery spoke of her anger after the opportunist burglar spotted an open window at Shearman Court, a place where elderly and disabled people residents know they have round-the-clock support.

A watch, cash, a bank card and a ring were taken in the burglary, that took place between 12.30am and 10.30am on Tuesday, July 15.

Mrs Jeffery said: “It makes me angry because people live in sheltered housing for a reason.

“They are less able and need support.

“The burglar climbed in through an open window when the person was asleep and, being an elderly gentleman, he wouldn’t have been able to do anything anyway.

“When the weather gets warmer, people open their windows and the scumbags come out.

“It’s frightened quite a lot of our tenants and we’ve had the police and technical services here to see how we can increase security.

“People come here so they can be secure and know there is someone around 24 hours a day.

“It’s horrible to think someone feels they have the right to come in and help themselves, especially when a lot of the tenants here are war veterans.

“Everyone here has worked for what they have got so why should someone come and take it away?”

n Anyone with information about this crime should call Pc Jonathan Chapman at Haverhill Police Station on 01284 774100 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

derek.bish@haverhillecho.com