The Provincial Police Station in Alicante has launched a new edition of the Senior Security Plan to offer safety advice to elderly residents and prevent them from becoming victims of crime. The initiative is being run in collaboration with Alicante Town Hall through informative talks across the 19 senior centres managed by the local council.
The programme was presented by the government sub-delegate, Manuel Pineda, the Alicante councillor for senior citizens, María Begoña León, and the acting provincial chief commissioner of the National Police, Pedro Montore. All agreed on the importance of protecting older people from criminals who seek to take advantage of their heightened vulnerability, noting that the goal is to provide information and tools to avoid or minimise the risk of scams, burglaries, and other offenses.
Presented at the Provincial Police Station to directors of various senior centres in Alicante, these talks are delivered by the Citizen Participation Unit of the National Police in Alicante. The head of the unit, Inspector Héctor Inarejos, warned during the launch about a rise in the “distressed child scam”—where criminals demand money or jewellery under the pretext of a family member’s alleged accident—as well as fraudulent phone calls from individuals impersonating bank staff.
Inspector Inarejos highlighted that one of the new features included in these talks is a warning about the dangers posed by artificial intelligence as a tool for carrying out fraud. He also advised residents to take preventive security measures when entering card PINs at supermarket checkouts, as fraudsters watch to memorise the digits before stealing wallets to withdraw cash.
Chief Commissioner Pedro Montore stressed that the foundation of the Senior Security Plan is to protect and guarantee the safety of an essential section of the community. Councillor María Begoña León praised the vital work of the National Police in preventing fraud against older residents and emphasized that the talks in the 19 senior centres have a widespread impact. The centres support 27,000 members, and León noted that whilst elderly people are vulnerable, they also learn how to protect themselves.
Government sub-delegate Manuel Pineda also praised the police effort and emphasized the vital role played by senior centres in ensuring the initiative’s success. He stated that people should be able to live without fear, adding that the Senior Security Plan focuses on preventing robberies, thefts, and scams while offering practical tools to spot potential risks.
In addition to the scheduled talks, the National Police will distribute leaflets outlining key safety advice for senior citizens, specifically when visiting banks, staying at home, or walking in the street. The materials also provide emergency contact details for the police via 091, alongside a dedicated email address for non-urgent safety enquiries.
