'˜Feel Safe' workshop empowers elderly

Inspector Rosie Thompson from the PSNI, Dermot Harrigan from Derry City & Strabane PCSP and Damien Doherty from Trading Standards NI answer questions from the floor.

The workshop, organised by Age Sector Platform, was funded by the Department of Justice and featured advice from the PSNI, Trading Standards and Derry City and Strabane Policing and Community Safety Partnership.

The workshop was the last of four ‘Feel Safe’ workshops held across Northern Ireland – providing older people with practical advice and guidance to help them feel safe in their homes and communities.

Eddie Lynch from Age Sector Platform commented: “The event drew a huge amount of interest from local older people, which serves to demonstrate the demand for relevant, tailored and up-to-date crime prevention advice.

“The workshop provided a wide range of guidance; on everything from challenging a suspicious caller at the door to protecting personal details online. The interactive and practical nature of the event allowed those in attendance to ask questions and pick up useful tools and techniques to help them feel safer.”

“It is every older person’s right to feel safe, and we hope these workshops strengthen aspirations to work to this end. We look forward to continuing our work in this area, in partnership with the Department of Justice.”

Justice Minister David Ford said: “Fear of crime amongst the older generation is, unfortunately, very real and as Justice Minister I am committed to doing all I can to address this serious issue. I appreciate that if you have been a victim of crime, know of a person who has, or have read media coverage on attacks against pensioners, fear of crime can be a very real issue. This fear can take its toll in many ways – for example, leaving individuals lacking confidence to participate fully in local community life, leaving them feeling vulnerable.”

“A key strand of work being delivered through my Department’s Community Safety Strategy is our support for Age Sector Platform to help them develop guidance on the practical measures that older people can access to help prevent them becoming a victim of crime.”

Those who were unable to attend the workshop can pick up a copy of the ‘Feel Safe’ guide for older people by contacting the Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP) in Derry and Strabane District Council.

Alternatively, it can be downloaded via www.feel-safe.org.uk.