Providing a Secure Home for Older Residents: Evaluation of an Initiative in Plymouth.

Abstract: This paper describes an evaluation of a crime prevention initiative which was targeted at older local authority tenants in areas of the city where crime was of particular local concern. Our evaluation suggests that it was successful in addressing both crime and fear of crime. Respondents indicated that they were very satisfied with the service and felt safer as a result of it. Moreover, recorded burglary statistics revealed a marked reduction. It is thus argued that it is possible to reduce the risk and fear of crime among older people without having a detrimental effect on their quality of life. Indeed it appears that most respondents were happy to remain in the area and did not see residential care as necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]