POLICE officers will be visiting care homes across the Weston area to try to make elderly and vulnerable people feel safe. The police will team up with care inspectors to go into homes and help residents and staff understand what they should do if they ar

POLICE officers will be visiting care homes across the Weston area to try to make elderly and vulnerable people feel safe.The police will team up with care inspectors to go into homes and help residents and staff understand what they should do if they are victims of crime or know of someone who is being abused.The initiative, believed to be the first of its kind in the country, has been launched in the wake of spiralling reports of crimes against elderly people in homes across the country.Police have pointed out there are no problems in Weston homes but they want to make sure home managers are aware of their responsibilities and help them become the best they can be.They will carry out the work with the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI).Detective sergeant Dave Grimstead, from the North Somerset Public Protection Unit, said: "The vast majority of homes conform to their regulatory responsibilities with CSCI and may never have cause to call the police."However, there are times when residents and staff may wish to contact both CSCI and the police, but might not know how and through what channels this can be done."This initiative is public reassurance to make this often vulnerable part of our community feels safe. "There are hundreds of people working in homes every day and we all have a responsibility to make this part of our community safe by reporting mistreatment."Throughout the visits police and CSCI will be distributing information and literature on how to contact each organisation for advice and also report any problems.* Pictured above: Police community support officer Kie Booth, of the Whitecross and Uphill beat team, with 88-year-old Joyce Guy, of Lynhurst Park Nursing Home in Severn Road, Weston.