ABUSING elderly people should become a specific offence in Scottish law, a charity is urging today.

Action on Elder Abuse Scotland says that about 100,000 older people in Scotland suffer some form of abuse each year.

A recent review of Scottish hate crime laws carried out by Lord Bracadale said there should be a new statutory aggravation based on “age hostility.”

The charity, which holds its annual conference in Glasgow today, said Scotland has the opportunity to lead on the issue, and is urging Older People and Equalities Minister Christina McKelvie to act.

It highlights the fact that many cases involving victims suffering from frailty or dementia do not reach the attention of the police or courts, and those that do often result in community sentences.

Director Lesley Carcary said: “I would urge the Scottish government to take seriously the recommendations in the Bracadale review and bring forward workable legislation that will finally see the calamitous impact of elder abuse on victims recognised in the statute books.

“Currently, the decision to apply a tougher sentence in cases involving older victims is at the discretion of the judge. That’s not good enough.

“What our older people and their families need is the reassurance that criminals who prey on them will receive a punishment that fits the crime.”

The charity also wants more vulnerable people, including older people, to be able to prerecord their evidence in court cases.

Ms McKelvie said: “Our vision of a fairer Scotland is one that values the contribution older people make to our society. As such the Scottish government will do everything in its power to support their rights and interests.”

She said the Scottish government would “consult later this year” on introducing such an offence, along with whether to implement the other recommendations of the hate crime review.