Belvoir robbers 'scum of the earth'

12.00.00am GMT Fri 7th Feb 2003

Alliance South Belfast representative Geraldine Rice is to discuss what measures can be taken to protect vulnerable elderly people with a PSNI Assistant Chief Constable next week. Councillor Rice was speaking after an 82-year-old woman from the Belvoir estate died shortly after a robbery at her home on Thursday evening.

Condemning the robbery, Cllr Rice said: "Those behind this robbery are the scum of the earth. Every day in Northern Ireland it seems as though another elderly person is targeted by robbers, sometimes posing as officials, sometimes forcing their way in."

"Elderly people need to take precautions. The days of leaving your door open are, sadly, over. I will be discussing what kind of home security measures elderly people can take and how we can increase security awareness with the Assistant Chief Constable next week."

"It is very important that older people are made aware of the need for home security and alarms, and that people are good neighbours by reporting suspicious activity and calling round on regular check-ups."

"Unfortunately, there have been a number of incidents targeting the elderly in Belvoir recently. Sometimes prescription drugs have been stolen, other times property, and people are living in fear.

"As the death of this woman has shown, robberies are an incredibly traumatic experience, and I will be asking the PSNI to focus greater attention on Belvoir so that this gang and any others can be brought to justice."

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