Neighbours urged to safeguard vulnerable

Sir Peter Fahy

NOSEY neighbours can help vulnerable members of the community living with dementia, according to Greater Manchester Police’s (GMP) Chief Constable Sir Peter Fahy.

It comes as more and more time is spent by police to protect growing numbers of people living with dementia.

GMP deals with many incidents where there has been a reported concern for a vulnerable person who may have gone missing or has been targeted by unscrupulous criminals.

In the year to December, 2014, this figure was 22,226 compared with 19,589 the previous year.

Sir Peter said: “Clearly the investigation process is much more difficult when the victim has poor memory and the criminals know this.

“This is why it is so important for neighbours to be vigilant and to keep an eye on those vulnerable members of the community.

“As a nation we’re getting older and more and around 850,000 people people are now living with dementia.

“When police officers are called to an address because someone has not been seen for a few days, it is incredibly helpful when neighbours are able to provide phone numbers for relatives or know their neighbour has gone into hospital.”

The chief constable was sent to the address of a 92-year old in Bury during a recent patrol. The elderly woman had been a victim of a rogue trader who had conned her out of a sum of money for minor roofing work.

Sir Peter said: “I would ask residents to look out for tradesmen calling at the homes of elderly neighbours or apparently doing work and just think about checking out that everything is okay.

“Asking if everything is all right could prevent a crime occurring or at least ensure that someone is not being pressurised to accept a price.”

As part of Dementia Awareness Week the Force is taking part in a range of activities to help raise awareness of the illness.

For more information, call the National Dementia Helpline on 0300-2221122 or visit www.dementiafriends.org.uk

l If you spot suspicious activity in your area or you believe rogue traders are operating, please contact police on 101 or call Crimestopers, anonymously, on 0800-555 111.

email: robbiegill@oldham-chronicle.co.uk