News Release
28 September 2006
Senior Citizens Alarmed
Senior citizens in Ards are to be ‘alarmed’ following the launch of a new personal safety scheme.
A total of 450 residents in the area are to be offered their own personal alarms, thanks to a new initiative from Ards District Policing Partnership (DPP), which can be used at home or while out and about and which give off a high pitched noise to scare any attacker or intruder as well as attract the attention of neighbours or passers-by.
While the number of attacks on the elderly remains low and is confined to isolated incidents, Chairman of the DPP, Alderman Jim Shannon, emphasised that the initiative is as much about tacking the fear of crime as crime itself:
“Any report of an attack on an elderly person creates fear, both for our senior citizens and the wider community. Giving those who can be among the most vulnerable in our society something to allay those fears, makes a very positive contribution to that person’s well-being and also acts as a deterrent for anyone considering committing this type of crime,” said Alderman Shannon. “I’m delighted that we have been able to take such a positive step and hope they will be well-received”.
The DPP Alarm project has been funded by Ards Community Safety Partnership through their Community Safety Challenge Competition.
Anyone who would like further information about the personal alarm scheme or the work of Ards DPP should contact the DPP Manager, Alan McCay on 028 9182 4070.
Anyone who would like advice about personal and home security should contact the PSNI’s Crime Prevention Officer on 028 9180 1547.
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