U.K.: Attacks On Elderly Soar By 60% In The Last Year

BELFAST (BelfastTelegraph), December 11, 2007: By Chris Thornton Thugs who target the frailest possible victims appear to be getting bolder - sending the number of attacks on elderly people soaring. Assaults on pensioners in their homes have jumped by more than 60% over the past five years. The rise in violent home invasions has raised questions about Government foot-dragging over a plan for tackling crime against the elderly. The household attacks happened last year at the rate of one every other day, leaving 179 pensioners feeling vulnerable in their own homes. The MP who got the statistics criticised the Government today for inaction over the attacks, because Ministers say they are still weighing up "a draft strategy for the safety of older people" , six months after it was issued. North Belfast MP Nigel Dodds also questioned why police have considered most of the attacks over the past five years cleared - even though charges were brought in less than 11% of the total cases. According to the statistics there were 111 reported attacks on elderly people in their homes in 2002-03, the first year in which police started recording the ages of victims. The number of reported attacks has climbed in each of the past five years, reaching 179 in 2006-07. Pensioners make up 14% of the population in Northern Ireland and their numbers are growing every year. Jack Cassidy will be part of next year's statistics. The 82-year-old was roughed up last month by four youths who broke into his west Belfast home, stole his Christmas savings and urinated all over his house. Mr Dodds said he has a " significant concern" about how people are made amenable for the attacks. Up until last year, police considered most of the attacks cleared without bringing anyone up on charges. More than half the crimes were considered "non sanction clearances", which means "no further action was taken by police". Last year, just over a third of the attacks were "non-sanction clearances", while 15.6% were cleared by charges being brought. "... The police obviously have a difficult job to do but I think the public expect that where people are attacked in their own homes, more of these crimes would be cleared up by people being prosecuted. I want to ask the Chief Constable to look at this closely." In response to Mr Dodds, Security Minister Paul Goggins said Government is working on "a draft strategy for the safety of older people." "The Community Safety Unit launched the document 'Proposals for the Safety of Older People' for consultation on 14 June 2007 and responses are currently being evaluated," he added. Anne Reilly chief executive Age Concern said: "Age Concern has welcomed the recent consultation on the Community Safety Strategy and these figures underline the urgency now required for a full and comprehensive implementation of this strategy that outlines actions..." © Belfast Telegraph