Groups get together to protect the vulnerable (From York Press)

Groups get together to protect the vulnerable

8:06am Monday 28th May 2012 in Health & Wellbeing

TRADING standards teams in North Yorkshire are backing moves to prevent people with dementia becoming victims of cold-calling and doorstep scams.

The Yorkshire and Humber Regional Dementia Action Alliance, which is made of up businesses, voluntary and community organisations, councils and education and health bodies, is aiming to reduce the chances of those with the condition being tricked out of money by fraudsters and con artists.

North Yorkshire County Council’s trading standards and planning services sections are supporting the drive, and the authority has donated £1,000 of the money recovered from convicted criminals under the Proceeds of Crime Act towards its work.

Officers have been working with the Alzheimer’s Society in North Yorkshire during Dementia Awareness Week and have attended events organised for people with the condition and their carers, offering advice and handing out leaflets and door and window stickers.

“This is an excellent initiative and one which we wholly support,” said Coun Chris Metcalfe, the council’s executive member for trading standards. “Those involved in doorstep crime, who seek to rip off the most vulnerable people in our communities, show complete disregard for their victims and callously take money from them for poor-quality, unnecessary, extortionately priced and sometimes even non-existent work. Anything we can do to prevent this type of crime is an opportunity not to be missed.”

Nicki Dyson, area manager for the Alzheimer’s Society, said: “People living with dementia are particularly vulnerable to fraud and financial abuse and we need to raise awareness to help support them to feel safe and secure in the communities where they live.

“We are actively looking for more organisations to get involved in the Alliance and welcome new members from across the public, voluntary and private sectors to join.”