Advocate for seniors Charles Jeffers has condemned the recent violent attack on a 63-year-old man in his own home and has urged the public to ensure their homes are adequately secured.

The vice-chairman of Age Concern and chairman of the charity’s advocacy committee said that members of the community should pull together to “keep an eye out” for seniors and other vulnerable people.

He said that seniors should take advantage of Neighbourhood Watch programmes in their area and also their community beat police officers.

The Bermuda Police Service’s latest crime statistics show that residential burglaries have remained about the same since 2013 with 449 taking place in 2015. That figure compares to 701 in 2011 and 668 in 2012.

Mr Jeffers told The Royal Gazette : “Like everyone else, Age Concern condemns violence period and violence when it comes to seniors is really reprehensible.

“People need to make sure their homes are secure and that they have family or neighbours who they can contact easily.

“We do have Neighbourhood Watch and it should be part of their remit to keep an eye out for seniors in the area — not only for this type of behaviour but in cases of storms or fires, etc.

“The police have a community police programme and it may be a good idea for those Neighbourhood Watch members who are in force to talk to the police about what more they can do as far as their seniors are concerned, such as pinpointing the homes where they live, etc.

“Seniors can secure their doors with a chain or peep hole so when someone knocks you can see who is there. A lot of people don’t have shutters and during the summer they may keep the windows open for cool air but if their house is vulnerable, they need to rethink that.

“There are bushes you can plant with thorns. Growing those close to the walls under the windows makes it difficult for people to just climb in. Motion lights are good as well — you can get some that run on solar power — and alarm systems.

“The children and grandchildren of seniors should be looking at what the arrangement is — some people live in areas that are not well lit. All these things can be helpful.”

The Bermuda Police Service offers safety advice on its website www.bermudapoliceservice.bm under the banner “crime prevention information” with specific sections on home security and advice for seniors.

Additional safety tips found on the website include the installation of louvred glass panels and secondary locks on sliding doors; the installation of a passive infrared security lighting system; keeping ladders and tools under lock and key; making your house look lived-in when you leave the house; and obtaining insurance on household contents. Advice specific to seniors includes informing family, friends, Neighbourhood Watch members and/or your community beat officer when you are away; carrying a warning device such as an airhorn to sound in the case of an emergency; being aware of con artists at the door by demanding to see identification.

The police service also runs a vulnerable persons programme maintained by the community beat officer. A police officer may identify vulnerable people and place them on the register or a vulnerable person may ask to be placed on the register or be nominated by a friend or family member.

The officer may visit the vulnerable person from time to time to ensure they are safe and well.

•To register, people can call their local community beat officer: Sandys, Southampton and Warwick 234-1010; Paget, Pembroke and Devonshire 299-4579; Smith’s, Hamilton and St George’s 297-1122