Elderly get protection against conmen

The worrying rate of elderly and vulnerable residents targeted by thieves and con men is the focus of a crackdown.

Advice on how to avoid becoming a victim of doorstep crime can now be twinned with the latest deterrents and Rother LifeLine.

Recent victims have been given the opportunity to test movement activated recorded messages as a deterrent to undesirable callers.

The device was launched at a Home Office conference in Bexhill earlier this year.

Although aimed at deterring crime, it also gives peace of mind to residents and their families.

Hastings Observer reporter Paula Fentiman is angry that a con man targeted her grandmother's Bexhill home this week but feels reassured the police were able to offer her the device as a safe guard.

"I am very angry that people take advantage of the elderly and vulnerable.

I hope the man concerned is caught." she said.

"He got into the house by distracting her. He told her he liked the painting on the wall and as she turned to look at it he walked straight in.

"The sensor has been put in her house since the incident. When you walk near it a recorded message is triggered, a message you chose yourself or can get somebody to record for you."

Sector Commander Inspector Max Mosley said: "It is a shame that people are still letting strangers into their homes. We have a great deal of sympathy for the victims of these crimes. Only one in ten victims actually report these crimes which is why we want to give this more attention, especially as we have such a high elderly population.

"We have given this lady the latest gadget which was given a high profile in an Observer report earlier this year. We are trying to get more of these in partnership with Age Concern.

"The ideal solution is for homes to be equipped with Life Line. Rother life line are excellent and are available at the touch of a button."

Rother LifeLine is a service offering support, help and advice around the clock.

An alarm unit is fitted which links directly to an operator.

When a call is received a community LifeLine Officer is sent out or a relative contacted.

More information on Rother LifeLine is available from Rother Homes on 776600.