The Centre has directed states to ensure safety of senior citizens by urgently reviewing existing policing arrangements for them and prepare plans to face current and future challenges for their protection.

In an advisory, the Home Ministry has asked all states and Union Territories to prepare a database of old persons living alone, identify crime-prone areas inhabited by them and issue guidelines in this regard. The Ministry also issued directions regarding policing arrangements.

Holding rich senior citizens as most vulnerable, the Centre told the states and UTs to fast-track security clearance process of their personal and security staff.

They should organise special drives for verification of the antecedents of servants, drivers and other domestic help as also of tenants.

The advisory said, enquiries should be held to fix responsibility for lapses whenever serious incidents of crime against the elderly take place and suitable action should be taken on it.