The 0800 crime-reporting line Crimestoppers is offering a reward of up to £5,000 for information after the attempted robbery of a visually impaired man in Gateshead. It happened on the evening of Sunday, January 25, when Alan Barnes, 67, was moving his wheelie bin from the side of his property, on Low Fell, Gateshead, to the front of the house.
He was approached by a man demanding money from him, and when telling his attacker he didn’t have any, was pushed to the ground, suffering a broken collarbone. As a result of the attempted robbery, Alan is living with his sister and does not feel able to return to his home. The charity Crimestoppers is now offering a reward of up to £5,000 for information passed through its anonymous 0800 555 111 number that leads to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrator.
Director of Operations for Crimestoppers, Roger Critchell, said: “This was a particularly cowardly attack on a very vulnerable individual while he was carrying out a household duty that we should all be able to do without fear of being attacked. It’s rare for Crimestoppers to offer this level of reward for this type of incident, but because of the circumstances of the victim and the consequences of him not feeling he can return home, we wanted to offer this sum.
“The victim is well known in the area, and I am appealing to the local community to speak up and tell us who was responsible for this cruel assault, safe in the knowledge you will remain anonymous and will never have to speak to the police. I ask you to do the right thing and help bring the victim some piece of mind.”
If you have any information on this crime – contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through the Anonymous Online Form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
Note: The reward will only qualify if information is passed to Crimestoppers’ 0800 555 111 number. Information passed to police will not qualify.
