A charity has called for more support for pensioners after a survey revealed that nearly two-thirds of them live in fear of crime.

Hundreds of elderly people have said being a victim of crime causes them major concern in their day-to-day lives.

A startling 64% of pensioners said they worried about being burgled, mugged or attacked by criminals, according to the poll by the Age Sector Platform.

Keeping warm in winter and not having enough to live on also cause high levels of stress among the elderly.

The survey, carried out in conjunction with the seven Pensioners’ Parliaments held across the province during the last six weeks, aims to voice the concerns of older people.

Campaigners said they hoped the poll would be taken into account by the Assembly.

Anne O’Reilly, chief executive of Age NI, said urgent action was required.

She said: “We are calling on the new Assembly to prioritise older people within the new community safety strategy, to ensure that fear of crime amongst older people becomes a thing of the past.”