AN OUTREACH worker for the elderly has backed the Daily Echo campaign to protect Hampshire's pensioners saying old people deserve to feel safe in their own homes.

Dawn Parker, outreach development worker for Southampton Voluntary Services who is in charge of older people's issues, said the On Your Guard campaign was a great idea to highlight how to keep the elderly safe.

The campaign, which is backed by Hampshire police and pensioners' charity Age Concern, was launched in a bid to cut the number of crimes against elderly people by looking at how they can protect themselves.

Since the turn of the year, as many as 30 pensioners have been left traumatised after being robbed in their own homes.

In the latest attack, reported in the Daily Echo last week, three men held down a 92-year-old woman while they stole her money.

The robbers had entered the house in Bishop's Waltham through an open door.

In a separate incident just two miles away in Shedfield, a 75-year-old disabled woman was in her kitchen when two men got into her home. She was knocked to the floor when the burglars pushed past her.

Other incidents highlighted in the Daily Echo include criminals posing as bogus officials in order to get into old people's homes.

Miss Parker, who supports community groups for the elderly such as lunch clubs and social groups which are members of Southamp-ton Voluntary Services, said her work made her aware of the sorts of issues affecting old people.

"We have a lot of groups in Southampton Voluntary Services which work with older people so we are always aware of the issues that are going on," she said, add-ing that while some were quite security conscious, others are not aware of the risks they take.

"We all need to be aware, not just the elderly." she said.

"I feel that older people deserve to feel safe in their own homes.

"A campaign that raises awareness of important things like making sure doors and windows are locked and checking for bogus callers is a great idea."

Have you or an elderly friend or relative been the victim of crime?

Do you want to join our campaign to make the county safer for pensioners?

If so, contact Sarah Lefebve at the Daily Echo on 023 8042 4996 or e-mail using the link above.