The Hindu : Old people are easy prey to criminals

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Oct 01, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Karnataka-Bangalore

Old people are easy prey to criminals

By Our Special Correspondent

Bangalore Sept. 30. They have become the most vulnerable to criminal attacks, including murder.

The Elders Helpline 1090, a joint project of Bangalore City Police and Nightingales Medical Trust, has carried out a survey of crimes against the elderly in the City.

The figures speak for themselves. According to police records about crime against senior citizens, there were 16 murders and seven robberies in 2001 and up to September 20 this year, there were eight murders and seven robberies.

The highlights of the survey are: 72 per cent of the murders in which senior citizens were the victims, were for material gain.

The rest were due to family disputes, often involving property and 78 per cent of the victims lived in independent houses with no security guards or reliable security systems.

The survey revealed that 61 per cent of the elderly did not have any device such as a simple "spy hole" on their doors for identifying visitors without opening the door.

Such a facility alone could have saved the lives of many victims. A surprising 50 per cent of murders happened during the day, when the victims were alone and with younger family members probably away at work. It was also found that 30 per cent of the elderly victims had no contact with their neighbours, probably explaining why they had nobody to call for immediate help.

A senior citizen and retired police inspector, N.S. Nanjanna, who lives in Mahalakshmipuram, has suggested some ways in which the elderly can safeguard themselves against intruders.

With the objective of containing crime against elders and to create awareness about the causes and prevention of such crimes, the Elders Helpline is celebrating World Elders Day on October 1 with an Awareness Rally and an exhibition.

The Home Minister, Mallikarjun Kharge, is expected to participate in it. For more details, call the Helpline 1090 or 3610055/3610066.

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