BBC News Online's Christine McCarthy talks to support agencies on how the fear of break-ins can have as detrimental affect on an old person's health as crime itself.

Burglary is one of the most feared of crimes

The Home Office research reveals that people over 60 are less at risk of being burgled than other age groups.

But, perhaps not surprisingly, they are deeply affected by the crime when it does happen to them.

But it is fear of it happening which can be just as wounding.

Andrew Buckingham, spokesman for Victim Support, said burglary could be "absolutely devastating" for an elderly person.

"Elderly victims can indeed be traumatised - they are more vulnerable and much more frail, so to find their home trashed and sentimental items taken is devastating," he said.

"Burglary is also one of the most, if not the most, feared of crimes," he said.

Elderly burglary victims can often be forced to consider residential living

"Most people, the elderly in particular, worry about burglary a lot of the time - more than they would rape or mugging," he added.

He said it was important that elderly people should keep their fears "in check" and recognise the Home Office statistics that the elderly are not high risk burglary targets.

Alan Burnett, a policy officer for Help the Aged, said the fear of a break-in in their home can have the greatest impact on the lives of older people.

The media, word of mouth and a perceived threat from young people are all factors contributing to fear among the elderly, he said.

It can mean people feeling insecure in their own home, or being fearful of going outside the door Alan Burnett, Help The Aged

A survey conducted for the charity by pollsters Mori found that 20% of elderly people living in inner cities had a greatly reduced quality of life because of fear of crime.

"It can mean people feeling insecure in their own home, or being fearful of going outside the door," said Mr Burnett.

"Obviously if old people have suffered a break-in it will - as these latest statistics show - take them a lot longer to recover both physically and mentally.

"But this fear of crime itself destroys the quality of life and well-being of old people."

Schemes

Further research into perception of crime - commissioned by Age Concern - found the risk of being a victim actually decreases with age, the most at risk being young men in inner cities.

But it also found, when talking to 4,000 older people, almost half of those aged over 75 said they were too afraid to leave their homes after dark because they believed they would be subject to verbal abuse or mugging.

Many agencies across the UK are running schemes to reassure the elderly - which Mr Burnett said it crucial to alleviating the fear they live under.

Newspapers are always quick to point out if an older person is a victim Frank Peduzzi, 73

Help the Aged run Handy Van teams, who visit elderly people's properties to give free advice on security measures, organise fitting extra security and give information on combating the ever-prevalent distraction burglaries.

So far this has made secure some 100,000 elderly people's homes.

The Home Office is also undertaking a reassurance campaign, supporting schemes to make old people feel safer.

Frank Peduzzi, a 73-year-old, runs an inter-generational project in Edmonton, North London.

It is designed to overcome the fear barrier which many old people possess about the younger generation.

'Bad news stories'

He said a lack of trust between the old and young contributed to fear.

"One or two incidents will colour their perceptions of the dangers - whether it is vandalism, or overhearing swearing.

"Newspapers are always quick to point out if an older person is a victim. Sensationalising crime is one reason for the build-up of fear."

Mr Burnett echoed the attention the media can sometimes pay to reporting the "bad news stories".

"We are trying to get the media to report the reduction in crime and the non-crimes and good work going on," he said

"But unfortunately, as the saying goes 'if it bleeds, it leads'."