My 'Google search' for 'crimes against old people', produced a link to an American website entitled :
Elderly Security: Common Crimes against old people.
Living alone need not force you to live alone and isolated, but precautions need to be taken to prevent you from becoming victims.
'In our (American society), unfortunately, you have become a far too easy target for criminals and 'abusers of the world'. Whether living alone or going about your daily lives, you are viewed as 'helpless and easy victims', a shameful way for you to have to live your lives. It seems that you must barricade yourselves behind locked doors, or become an instant victim just by going out to the grocery store or even walking in their own yard or neighbourhood.
But it doesn't have to be this way. There are ways to ensure a happier and safer life for you if we carefully consider your lives, your vulnerabilities and the threats that may consume your lives.
You may well be vulnerable and a victim waiting to be attacked, when you:
· go out at night alone
· live alone
· walk alone
· travel either unfamiliar routes alone or familiar ones
· do your banking, inside or outside at automated teller machines
· go to and from parking lots to do your shopping
· do something so simple as answering your telephone
Here is a simple checklist of things you might consider to decrease the likelihood of becoming a victim:
* always travel with friends or family when shopping, taking long trips, or even going outside for a walk.
AT NIGHT :
* 'don't go out' and 'especially alone'.
* avoid dark, unpopulated and isolated locations.
DOGS :
* use security guards for escorting you to your car in the parking lot during the day as well as at night.
BOARDERS :
* consider taking in a boarder 'if you have no one else who can live with you and just use your judgement and even get help in checking people out before you let them move into your home.'
SECURITY :
* install extra home security measures using locks, alarms, chains and other means.
PERSONAL INFORMATION :
* don't over the phone, either give out your personal information or buy anything and always request the caller to send you information in the mail.
ON A REGULAR BASIS :
* have someone call and/or come by to check on you.
MOBILE PHONES :
* carry a mobile phone with you and have this for emergency contact, car trouble or running into some 'suspicious looking person'.
HITCHHIKERS :
· don't pick up hitchhikers.
DOCUMENTS :
· shred all of your documents before 'tossing them into the trash'.
STRANGERS :
· don't allow strangers into your home and, if expecting a repairman or some delivery, have someone you know and trust there with you.
VALUABLES :
* don't leave your valuables lying about because 'It would be very easy for a dishonest person to check out your home and be quite tempted by the sight of a purse, wallet, or jewelry casually lying about'.
ACTIVITIES :
· have some outside activities to keep yourself active and alert for example :
- take a class
- join an exercise group
- learn a new skill
- take self-defense class or 'some other lesson that could help you navigate your elder years'
- don't let yourself stagnate and become isolated and alone
- bring others into your lives, those friends and family you trust
ATTACKS :
* if you are out alone and attacked, stand your ground and make lots of noise.
* scream, holler, and even jump up and down!
* do anything to get anyone in the vicinity to see or hear you.
AFTER ATTACKS :
* don't be afraid to speak out even if an attacker threatens to come back and 'do you bodily harm' if you report it, chances are, the attacker will come back on his own, if he so chooses. It will make little difference if you speak out or not.
* call the police,speak out in any neighborhood meeting or social club or gathering.
* 'round up' the other elderly folks in your area and learn how to protect yourselves because there is strength in numbers.
* let the 'criminal elements in your area' know they won't be dealing with only one helpless elderly person and that a group of committed and determined people will be waiting and watching.
TRAVELLING :
* if you have car trouble on a deserted stretch of road, try to stay with your car..
* if someone comes along to 'offer help', talk only through a 'slightly open window' and don't either give them the chance to get into your car with you or to get you out of your car.
EDUCATION :
* take 'whatever precautions necessary to protect yourself and your home and learn from the experts by attending seminars or workshops on either home security, self-defense or phone scams.
BEHAVIOUR :
* don't let your fears cause you to barricade yourself in your own home, living in fear and isolation.
* get out and enjoy life.
* train yourself to be alert to your surroundings and to whoever may be in close range of you and don't be an easy target.
* look self-assured and confident and let any potential criminals know that you are fully aware of their presence and that you refuse to be anyone's victim.
* let people around you know that you are in control of your own life and that you will not give in to 'some human creature's need to control you' or take advantage of you.
THE RESULT :
* 'usually, if you take every possible precaution, chances are you will not become someone's victim. None of us can ever fully guarantee ourselves of this, but we can make it much harder for someone else to take advantage of us.
Take back your life and live it to the fullest. Be self-confident and assured, and let the rest of the world know who you are.'
Plenty of American 'spirit' here, as an example, for Britain's old men, but not much fun is it ?
the link :
http://www.essortment.com/all/crimesagainste_rgnt.htm
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