Protecting vulnerable adults from financial harm and exploitation is the aim of a free information session organised next week (Monday 13 November) open to anyone to attend.
Organised by the Falkirk Adult Support and Protection Committee, the event will show practical examples of how to stop financial exploitation and offer advice and information to anyone who is involved with vulnerable adults.
Harm towards vulnerable adults can take many forms including physical, sexual, financial, emotional and neglect with Falkirk Council along with Police and Health partners dealing with 540 referrals in 2016/17.
Police Scotland will be on hand to demonstrate how easy it can be to be exploited by internet scams and Falkirk Council will be speaking about doorstep crime and cold callers. There will also be a demonstration from a working Automate Teller Machine that has been set up to capture financial a user’s financial details.
There will also be an opportunity to watch dvd clips that show examples of exploitation and a chance to ask questions.
Councillor David Alexander, Falkirk Council’s spokesperson for Public Protection said: “It’s everyone’s responsibility to ensure that vulnerable adults are not exploited or harmed and this information session will help raise the awareness of how they can be taken advantage of and how to stop or report it.
“We rely on our communities to look out for the more vulnerable in society and would urge anyone with any suspicions to inform us immediately so we can take the necessary action to protect them. Above all we want our communities to be safe places where no one is exploited because of their circumstances.”
Anyone with any concerns can contact Falkirk Council on 01324 506400 office hours or email is asp@falkirk.gov.uk. Evenings and weekends the public should contact 01786 470500 or in an emergency dial 999.
The event takes place at Forth Valley Sensory Centre, Redbrae Road, Camelon, Falkirk FK1 4DD between 2:30pm and 4:30pm. The venue is wheelchair accessible.
A number of other activities are also taking place across communities locally during week beginning 13 November with posters advertising these in community facilities.