Do you know of an elderly person in Hertfordshire at risk from harm?

Concerns over the possible abuse of elderly people in their own home can be reported by the victims, their families or carers in total confidence via a special helpline to be trialled in Hertfordshire.

Hertfordshire County Council has teamed up with the charity Action on Elder Abuse and three home care agencies to provide the service in Watford, Three Rivers and Dacorum.

The scheme will initially run as a six-month pilot scheme.

Sally Newton, Executive Member for Adult Care and Health, said: "We are encouraging anyone who might be concerned about abuse of an elderly person to get in touch through this helpline.

"Information from the public is crucial to help save someone from further harm. The victims, their families or carers should have no fear about using the helpline. People can call in confidence and all reports of abuse will be taken seriously."

Rosanna Thirlow, from Action on Elder Abuse, said: "This helpline tackles the major problem of how vulnerable people may complain safely and without fear.

"It gives service users, families, friends and care workers a safe and protected way of speaking out, knowing there is a genuinely independent charity overseeing the process and guaranteeing a response."

Action on Elder Abuse is the UK's most prominent charity concerned with abuse of vulnerable older people. It currently has a national helpline which operates Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm.

In the longer term, the charity hopes to make the service available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, similar to the national Childline service for children.

Action on Elder Abuse has already set up a helpline project in Essex with two large providers of residential care to older people.

In Hertfordshire, a project is planned with homecare providers Community Care Line Services, Westminster and Goldsborough.

The helpline number of 0808 8088141 is due to start on April 14 for six months.