Elderly often robbed by their children

Greedy middle-aged children are more likely to rob their elderly parents of their valuables, money, and even their homes than anyone else, a report has revealed.

In what Action on Elder Abuse described as "a horrendous state of affairs," the charity discovered that 53% of theft, fraud and deception cases reported to its helpline last year were blamed on the victims’ own sons or daughters.

The figures came from an analysis of almost 500 calls made to the charity that related to financial abuse of older people in their own homes, with more than £2 million reported as stolen or coerced from them during the last year.

In total, 18 houses were reported as having been sold or taken without the owner's consent, while 13 homes were "given away" without the knowledge of the owner or after significant pressure, including blackmail.

The AEA estimates that half (49%) of the victims of theft were women, aged over 81 years.