Older People’s Commissioner for Wales, Heléna Herklots CBE, said:
“I welcome the report published today by HMICRFS, which sets out the ways that the police and CPS need to support older people more effectively when they are the victims of crime.
“When an older person is the victim of a crime, it is essential that they are safeguarded and protected, and can access the support and protection they may need from the criminal justice system, something that is currently not the case according to the report.
“The report reflects many of the concerns about access to justice older people have shared with me and issues relating to the justice system identified through my work, and I welcome the calls for investigations to be improved, for current issues around safeguarding and referrals to adult protection teams to be addressed and for people’s needs to be properly assessed so the right support can be provided.
“Having worked closely with the police and CPS in Wales, I know that they are keen to not only improve the way that they deal with crimes against older people, but also, perhaps more importantly, to improve the help and support they provide to older people who are the victims of crime, and I look forward to continuing to work with them to ensure that the recommendations within the report are taken forward in a meaningful way.”
Click here to read the HMICRFS report
