New crime prevention scheme aimed at providing help and reassurance to over 65s
Hounslow Safer Seniors is a crime prevention and reduction scheme aimed at improving home security and providing reassurance for residents of Hounslow Borough who are aged over 65.
The scheme will see police officers and partners visiting homes of older residents and conducting individual home security surveys.
Where issues are identified, partners in the scheme may be able to provide support - including free locks (provided by Hounslow Community Safety Partnership), smoke alarms (from the London Fire Brigade), personal alarms (Age Concern) and even tidying gardens and external areas of properties.
It doesn’t just end with the initial visit - a key element to the scheme is the fact that visits will be ongoing - with visits 6 and 12 months after the first visit.
In addition, Chiswick Business Park have generously agreed to fund over 3000 ‘Message in a bottle’ packs for local residents. These packs allow residents to record details that are vital in an emergency - such as next of kin, allergies and details of medication - and leave them secure in the knowledge that the emergency services can locate them. These bottles will be given out at the same time as the home visits are conducted.
Partners in the scheme will be able to advise their local police team of any concerns that they have about residents and a dedicated officer at Chiswick police station will review these referrals and arrange a crime prevention visit tailored to the individuals’ needs. Additionally, police will be able to advise the other organisations about issues that may concern them.
April 20, 2010