A NEW service could help hundreds of pensioners who are being abused every year.

The latest figures show 1,700 safeguarding concerns were raised in Brighton and Hove last year and it is hoped the new service will help those who have been through traumatic experiences.

Brighton has been chosen as the first place outside London to introduce an Elder Abuse Recovery Service (EARS) to support people who have been victims of crime.

The service, from the charity Action on Elder Abuse (AEA), will offer support to elderly victims of crime, helping them keep their independence and reintegrate them back into their communities.

The service includes a helpline and volunteers who can visit and support victims.

Launching the service yesterday, AEA chief executive Gary FitzGerald said: "EARS has been an immense success in London and we look forward to bringing this vital service to the city of Brighton.

“Based on Brighton and Hove Safeguarding Board’s latest Annual Report, there were 1,700 adult safeguarding referrals made during that year and the overwhelming majority of those investigated (63%) were people aged over 65 years old. This demonstrates the obvious a need for a service that actively aids older people to recover from the horror of elder abuse.”

Former victims welcomed the initiative but said more needed to be done to stop the crimes in the first place.

Jacques Mawas, 83, of Ringmer lost £20,000 to a conman.

He said: "It certainly made me feel more vulnerable.

"I felt a little stupid but the police were very helpful.

"This sounds like a good idea as something needs to be done, but something also needs to be done by the government to stop these crimes happening. "

Peer support officer Carly Snead who is one of those who will be helping elderly people who have suffered at the hands of con artists, physical and mental abusers, said: "There has been a lot of public interest in this launch as people recognise the gap in Brighton for such a service”

“There are many excellent services in this city, but this is quite unique, focusing exclusively on the issue of elder abuse.”

The number for the helpline will be released later.

TRICKED OUT OF £20,000 BY A PROLIFIC CONMAN

JACQUES Mawas, 83, was one of a number of victims targeted by conman Sacha Dixey. 

Dixey was jailed for six years for tricking people across Sussex into buying energy-saving heating equipment he claimed would be a good investment, saying they would get money back from the Government.

Mr Mawar, of Ringmer, lost £20,000 in Dixey’s scam. He said: “This gentleman found it very easy to fool us. 

“And he did the same to a lot of people. He defrauded I don’t know how many people and I don’t know if we’ll ever see a penny back. 

“It certainly made me feel more vulnerable. 

“I felt a little stupid but the police were very helpful. 

“This sounds like a good idea as something needs to be done, but something also needs to be done by the Government to stop these crimes happening.

“I did feel a bit uncertain about reporting it. 

“I can understand that other people might want to report thing. “

Following a joint investigation by the police and West Sussex County Council’s trading standards team, Dixey pleaded guilty to 31 separate counts of fraud at Hove Crown Court.

Dixey, 39, of Mayfield Close, Bognor, was sentenced last year and was sent to prison for six years and handed a £900 fine.

Judge Anthony Niblett branded his actions as “despicable acts of dishonesty”.