THE FIRST anonymous phone line service for reporting abuse of the elderly has been launched.

The phone line has been set up to raise awareness of elder abuse, which can be physical, emotional, psychological, financial or general neglect, and to provide a helpline for victims or anyone who has suspicions that someone they know or love is being abused.

Nick Alston, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Essex, has joined forces with independent charity Crimestoppers and the Safeguarding Adults Boards of Essex, Thurrock and Southend to trial the phone line - 0800 032 7644 - for nine months and could potentially be rolled out across the UK if it’s deemed a success.

It was launched this morning (Feb 26) at the Age Concern Day Centre, in Chelmsford, with the support of TV presenter Fiona Phillips, who is a staunch campaigner for elderly rights. 

She said: “Elder abuse is an extremely serious problem which can’t be ignored.

“It is everyone’s responsibility to make sure that our elderly communities are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve.

“That is why I am supporting this new reporting line. Hopefully it will encourage more people to speak up and take action if they know that something is wrong.”

She added: “This is an amazing idea.

“If you suspect a vulnerable person you know is being neglected or stolen from or abused reporting it can be a worry because you think people will know you reported it.

“The fact that you can just phone someone and they will follow it up is reassuring.  

“I think it will bring peace of mind to elderly people and their family and friends.”

Mr Alston said: “Over the last couple of years, both locally and nationally, there have been a number of disturbing cases of abuse in care homes.

“However the abuse of elderly people is not just confined to care homes. It also, shockingly, can occur within the home.

“Elder abuse – like child abuse and online grooming – is one of the hidden harms plaguing our communities.

“I feel passionately that we must start to uncover these hidden harms and this anonymous phone line is just one way both to draw attention to the problem and, more importantly, to start to offer a solution to elder abuse.”

In 2013/14 there were 104,050 cases nationally in which concern was raised about the abuse of an adult – 63 per cent of these involved victims over the age of 65.* In Essex there were 1497 cases which involved individuals over the age of 65.

Mark Hallas, the chief executive of Crimestoppers, added: “What we are hoping for is to be able to prevent harm.

“There is also a message about elderly abuse being completely unacceptable and it might stop it taking place as well.

“It’s not always easy to report an issue like this – especially if the perpetrators are known to the victims.

“This is why an independent reporting line that people can call safely, securely and anonymously is so important.

“You don’t have to suffer in silence, no one needs to be a victim.

“We are there to help you get the support that you need.”

The line, which is being funded by Essex PCC, will be manned by Crimestoppers call handlers, who will pass on information to the relevant Safeguarding Adults Board.

Information will also be passed to the police if a crime is thought to have taken place.

To report abuse call the helpline on 0800 032 7644 or information can also be passed anonymously through an online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org/essex-elder-abuse

For more information about the reporting line, visit https://crimestoppers-uk.org/essex-elder-abuse or follow the campaign on Twitter with #SpeakUp