Over £668k stolen or defrauded from older people in Northern Ireland in past three years

Over £668,000 has been stolen or defrauded from older people in Northern Ireland in the past three years. That's according to Hourglass, a UK-wide charity protecting and preventing the abuse of vulnerable older people.

This figure is purely in relation to 13 calls from NI reported to the charity's 24/7 helpline, meaning it's just the tip of the iceberg. However the total losses from these 13 calls alone was £668,400 - an average value lost of £51,415 per victim.

The figures were released to mark the fifth annual Safer Ageing Week campaign. Entitled ‘Take Note’, it runs from 11th-17th November and warns of the continuing tide of economic abuse against older people.

READ MORE: Over 100,000 older people in Northern Ireland experience abuse

READ MORE: Difference between Covid, flu and RSV amid 'tripledemic' threat as numbers rise

Overall, the charity has revealed that over £53 million has been stolen or defrauded from older people across the UK in the past three years. These figures equate to an average value lost as £87,000 per victim. In 61% of these cases, the perpetrator was a family member of the victim-survivor.

According to Hourglass, the effect on this massive fraud against older people is significant, bearing in mind the ongoing cost of living crisis and a rapidly ageing older population that is set to see a further 9.6 million older people in the UK by 2050.

The charity believes this abuse is only set to increase and reveals that awareness amongst the general public of what constitutes economic abuse is shockingly low.

A 2024 poll conducted by Hourglass found that over 26% of people did not believe that forcing an older relative to change their will was an act of abuse.

Veronica Gray, Deputy CEO and Director of Policy of Hourglass said: “Safer Ageing Week this year focuses on economic abuse and the theme is ‘Take Note’. The £53m stolen or defrauded from Hourglass victim-survivors underlines the significance of Taking Note and for the public and influencers to finally grasp the epidemic proportions of abuse against older people.

“We would urge everyone to support this fifth Safer Ageing Week and keep an eye on the raft of announcements and initiatives underway during the week.

“Hourglass wants everyone involved in supporting older people or dealing with domestic abuse or neglect to help bring this to the public’s attention. Put simply – it’s time for people to take note.”

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.