POLICE have introduced a new senior citizens liaison team to help older people feel safe and confident in their community.

The team has already rolled out crime-fighting initiatives to help seniors keep themselves safe, including a "doorstep verification leaflet", which gives them a checklist to ensure callers to their homes are legitimate.

It has also published a newsletter called the Senior Siren, which gives crime fighting advice to older citizens.

The quarterly publication aims to reduce the fear of crime within the older population through education and social awareness.

PC Mike Wedlock, a senior citizen liaison officer, said: "It is always a pleasure to meet our older residents and share some of their varied life experiences.

"It is also important for us to help this vulnerable segment of the community in avoiding the likelihood of becoming victims of crime by offering useful advice and crime prevention tips."

Sergeant Ash Jones said: "The senior citizen liaison team has been well received so far. Our goal is that everyone who meets them will be less likely to become a victim of crime.

"The Senior Siren newsletter is also a great tool to reach members of the older community we cannot speak to in person."

Contact the senior citizen liaison team at Bishopsworth police station on 0845 456 7000.