In a statement, the GNR said that in 2022, 44,511 elderly people were identified as living alone and/or isolated, or in a vulnerable situation, due to their physical and psychological condition.

The most vulnerable situations were, according to the GNR, reported to the competent entities, especially social support, in order to carry out future monitoring.

Vila Real was the district where the most elderly people were flagged with 5,353, followed by Guarda with 5,243, Viseu with 3,586, Faro with 3,527, Bragança with 3,411 and Beja with 3,346.

In Lisbon, 1,134 elderly people were flagged and in Porto, 875.

“The actions aim to favour proximity to the elderly population and those with greater vulnerability, and/or who live alone and/or isolated, reinforcing safety behaviours that reduce the risk of elderly people becoming victims of crimes, particularly in situations of violence, fraud and theft”, says the GNR.