On Monday 21st December 2009, Barking and Dagenham Police’s Crime Manager, DCI Ellie O’Connor joined with the Council’s Adult Safeguarding Team to highlight the abuse of vulnerable adults at Vicarage Fields Shopping Centre, Barking.
The stand was placed outside ASDA and a group of PCSO’s and members of the Safeguarding Team distributed leaflets to the Christmas shoppers.
The borough wide scheme entitled “I Care” encourages people to take notice of how their elderly or vulnerable neighbours are getting on. Is their milk or mail piling up; is there a chance that they may be unwell or injured? Do they seem like their usual self? Could they be a victim of elder abuse?
DCI O’Connor said: “I wholeheartedly support this campaign, it takes very little effort to keep an eye out for vulnerable people who live near to us and it does everyone good to take stock and give a little back to the community.”
Helen Oliver of the Safeguarding Adult’s Team said: “We tend to find out about abuse when it has got really bad, the aim of this campaign is to encourage local people to alert us as early as possible to any concerns they have about vulnerable neighbours being mistreated or neglected, so that we can prevent it escalating into abuse. This campaign is about us all standing together and demonstrating that we care about vulnerable adults being safe”.
The Partnership would like to thank the Manager and staff of Vicarage Fields Shopping Centre, Barking for their co-operation and support in publicising this initiative.
If you suspect that a vulnerable adult is being abused or neglected, please contact the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham's Safeguarding Adults Team on 020 8724 8859 (9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday).
Out of hours, contact 020 8594 8356. In an emergency always dial 999.