Cumbria Constabulary continue to raise awareness of elderly abuse, with a dedicated campaign highlighting this devastating, underreported and often hidden crime.

The campaign, created by Cumbria Police’s Public Protection Unit (PPU), highlights crimes targeting older adults, encourages reporting of offences - and signposts people to relevant free local support services.

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The PPU is a department dedicated to investigating crimes targeting the vulnerable. Specially trained officers and staff work around the clock to deter and investigating crime, pursue perpetrators, and support and safeguard victims.

The PPU work closely with partner agencies such as Cumbria’s Adult Safeguarding Board, to provide a consistent, joined-up service safeguarding vulnerable adults.

The signs of elderly abuse are not always obvious, and many older adults have reported being reluctant to speak up about their abuse for fear of repercussion or “not wanting to make a fuss”.

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Types of abuse non-exhaustive:

Abuse can include physical, sexual, domestic, psychological, emotional, financial, coercive control, neglect or acts of omission, discrimination, modern slavery and cuckooing.

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The signs of abuse may include non-exhaustive:

Behaviour: Becoming confused, withdrawn, depressed, anxious, upset or isolating from friends and family.

Appearance: Dehydrated, malnourished, sucken cheeks or eyes, extreme weight loss, unexplained burns, bruises or cuts.

Poor hygiene: Soiled clothes, unwashed.

Medical needs: Over or under medicated, sexually transmitted diseases, bed sores and other preventable medical conditions.

Finance: Extreme changes to will/banking or spending, unpaid bills, loss of possessions.

Cuckooing: A person living with the elder person who is using the home for criminal activity.

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If you have concerns that an adult is being abused or neglected, please act. If you can and it is safe to do so, try to speak to the adult. If they will not speak to you or you cannot speak to them, report your concerns to the police or Adult Safeguarding Board.

To raise a safeguarding concern:

Visit: How to raise a safeguarding concern (cumbriasab.org.uk) for help and advice on submitting a safeguarding concern to the Adult Safeguarding Board.

Report concerns to police:

Web: www.cumbria.police.uk/reportit

Call: 101

Visit: Your local police station

Always call 999 in an emergency.

You can find out more about the campaign and support services at: www.cumbria.police.uk/elderlyabuse.

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