§ Dr. MurrisonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps are being taken to combat the fear of crime among elderly people. [153817]
§ Ms BlearsWe are committed to reducing the levels of fear of crime among older people. We are addressing the misperceptions about crime by promoting the facts about crime levels and common sense precautions which individuals can take to prevent becoming a victim. In order to do this we have been working with charities such as Help the Aged and Age Concern to find new and better ways of tackling fear among the older population, as well as tackling the crimes committed against them.
A Fear of Crime Toolkit was published on the Home Office Crime Reduction website in May 2003 to provide best practice to all the practitioners who are working towards reducing fear of crime within communities and vulnerable groups.