PM pledges elderly hate crime review
TOUGHER laws to protect vulnerable elderly people from “appalling” crimes could be on the way, Theresa May promised yesterday.
In response to the Daily Express Respect For The Elderly crusade, the Prime Minister pledged to legislate to ensure longer sentences for criminals who target older people if a current review into the system recommends an overhaul.
Her promise to consider new measures comes after this newspaper’s campaign has exposed the shocking extent of crimes committed against the vulnerable elderly including violent attacks and abuse in care homes. “Targeting elderly people is appalling, many elderly people are particularly vulnerable,” she said.
“It is possible for judges to take that into account when they are determining sentencing but they want to make sure the powers are sufficient.
“We have asked the Law Commission to look into this issue of hate crime. If they make specific proposals around this aspect of crimes against the elderly, then we will act on those.”
Shocking statistics uncovered by the Daily Express last month showed the number of over-65s subjected to assaults soared nearly 260 per cent in the past 10 years.
Independent research suggests around one million people aged 65 and over experience some form of abuse or neglect every year.
The crusade, spearheaded by the charity Action on Elder Abuse, has received the backing of television stars Sir Tony Robinson and Dame Esther Rantzen as well as MPs.
It also has the support of Jayne Connery, of Care Campaign for the Vulnerable, who wants all care homes to be fitted with CCTV in communal areas.