Attacks on the over-65s treble in a decade to reach record 26,000

THE number of violent crimes recorded against the elderly has more than trebled in a decade.

One police force has recorded an increase of 4,2 5 per cent in assaults on over-65s since 2007, official statistics show.

In 2007 7,37 assaults on pensioners were recorded across 26 police forces in England and Wales. But by last year the number of attacks had risen to a record 26,474 – a rise of 258 per cent.

The shocking figures were uncovered by the Daily Express using Freedom of Information laws.

Campaigners called for tougher sentences for those who deliberately target pensioners. Gary FitzGerald, chief executive of charity Action on Elder Abuse, said: ‘Until the Government accepts the need for an aggravated offence of elder abuse, abusers will act without fear of any real consequences.’

The National Police Chiefs’ Council said the rise could be partly put down to victims being more confident to report crimes. The oldest known victim, 105, was assaulted in Cambridgeshire last year.