MERSEYSIDE Police are offering more than 100 pensioners immediate response units as part of the force's £1.8m anti-robbery initiative, Be Streetsafe.

In partnership with Help the Aged, the scheme to install the units aims to give security and peace of mind at the touch of a button.

A SeniorLink unit is linked to the pensioner's phone and connected to Help the Aged SeniorLink 24-hour Immediate Response Centre, for help in an emergency or for to give some reassurance.

When the door alert button is pressed, an immediate connection is made with the Response Centre. If a pensioner is unsure of the identity of a caller at the door, Help the Aged staff can offer advice and can make phone calls to a company to check the caller's identity.

The charity believes the service helps combat bogus callers and gives confidence to older people living independently.

Inspector Ian Mulcahey, of Merseyside Police, said: "Whilst only a very small number of elderly people will ever be victims of crime we want to ensure that their fear of crime is significantly reduced.

"These alarms provide a great deal of reassurance for elderly people often living on their own and can therefore play a key role in reducing the fear of crime in our communities".

For information about an alarm, which incurs a small charge for monitoring and maintenance, contact Crime Prevention Officer Simon Thompson, Huyton Police Station, Huyton, Merseyside L36 9XU or phone 0151 777 6258.