A new police unit has been set up to hunt down crime gangs robbing and terrorising pensioners across Northern Ireland.
Amid alarming levels of attacks on elderly victims, the officer heading up the special investigation team pledged to target those carrying out burglaries which have left scores traumatised.
Chief Superintendent Drew Harris said: "Our focus is on very serious, very prolific offenders working mainly in well organised criminal gangs. We want to take them out of circulation. The public wants to see them taken out of circulation."
Domestic burglaries on the over-65s are already well up on last year. So far 878 raids have been carried out during 2005/06, compared to 820 a year earlier.
One victim tonight said she would wait to see the impact of the new team before making her assessment. Heather Black (78) a former mayor of Armagh was left with a cut face after being held down by thieves at her home in Tandragee.
The Democratic Unionist councillor, who lives alone, said: "The elderly think there's no end to this. It would be very reassuring if some of these men were caught and we were told about it."
Police district commanders, the Crime Operations Department and specialist Tactical Support Group officers will be involved in the offensive, along with social services, community and voluntary groups.
The team, which aims to go after all roving gangs, will also liaise with gardai.
PA