A TELEPHONE hotline has been set up to help Lancashire adults at risk of abuse or neglect.

Lancashire County Council's Safeguarding Adults agenda, launched today, will allow anyone to call the council or fill in an online alert form to report suspected abuse of vulnerable people including the elderly and disabled.

It is hoped the new scheme, along with a leaflet campaign and online information on joint policies to protect people, will raise awareness of the problems.

Over the past year the county council has given more than 1,000 health and social care staff extensive training over abuse issues, and hospitals are producing a planned programme of training for nurses, ward sisters and matrons.

Richard Jones, executive director of Adult and Community Services at Lancashire County Council, said: "We are committed to ensuring robust procedures are in place for safeguarding vulnerable adults at risk from abuse in Lancashire and to encourage the reporting of suspected abuse, and to take appropriate action.

"I started my career in children's social care and I believe our approach to safeguarding adults needs to replicate much of the high profile child protection practice we have witnessed over the last five to 10 years.

"All suspected incidents of adult abuse or neglect will be investigated fully and appropriately. I believe it is everyone's business to protect the wellbeing of vulnerable adults. We are aiming for zero tolerance of abuse of vulnerable adults in Lancashire."

Margaret Flynn, chair of Lancashire Safeguarding Adults Partnership Strategic Board, added: "We know that it is devastating to be abused and that so many forms of abuse go beyond individual suffering and affect a lot of people, intensely, over long periods of time.

"In Lancashire I am pleased to work with so many agencies committed to working to provide a consistent approach in taking action when abuse is suspected, and to increasing awareness about abuse and ways in which it may be prevented. Lancashire's citizens deserve no less than this."

If you have any concerns about your own or someone's safety, contact Lancashire County Council through the hotline on 0845 0530 028 or visit online at www.lancashire.gov.uk/safeguardingadults.