Scams
Earlier this month I went to a presentation from Age Cymru on elderly victims of scams. Some of the cases we heard about were absolutely horrendous.
There were scores of older people being ripped off for thousands and thousands of pounds—in one case, over £250,000, by what I can only describe as unscrupulous and despicable criminals.
One of the potential allies that Age Cymru mentioned in combating these scams was the Older People’s Commissioner. I have no doubt that she would be only too keen to join forces with Age Cymru and, hopefully, with the Welsh Government in helping to provide protection for older people against these fraudsters. There is no place in any civilised society for these people, who, quite frankly, belong in the gutter.
I’ve also raised with Labour and Conservatives colleagues a Statement of Opinion in the National Assembly about the impact of scams.
I would also like the Commissioner, with the assistance of the Welsh Government, to find out and report on the scale and type of abuse of older people in Wales.
This information will be extremely important in helping all of us to decide what action needs to be taken to prevent, and stamp out, this type of totally unacceptable behaviour.
Bonfire Night
On Saturday the annual fireworks display takes place with the backdrop of Caerphilly Castle once again.
In these difficult financial times it is great that parents who perhaps don’t have the money to attend paid-for events can take their children along to enjoy the magic of a fireworks display and it’s free of charge.
Caerphilly Town Council and all community councils involves deserve great credit for their great work. And these volunteer councillors also collect money for charity on the night.
Senghenydd Pit Disaster
I hope readers will forgive me for harking back to the events surrounding the unveiling to the memorial to the sacrifice of miners across Wales.
On the day it was hectic and I was also asked to do a couple of interviews for radio and TV because of my family background. But I think the people that deserve the credit for the memorial are the committee who worked so hard to make this a reality. Well done.
Lindsay Whittle
Plaid Cymru South Wales East AM