Nearly 200 allegations of abuse against older people made each day

Almost 200 allegations of older people being abused in care are investigated each day, it has been revealed.

Figures obtained by the Daily Express from the Health and Social Care Information Centre show that during 2012 there were 64,020 cases of alleged abuse involving people aged 65 or over.

In the majority of cases it was a professional carer, health worker or family member that was accused of cruelty to an older person.

Some 25,605 of the cases were for neglect of care, while physical abuse formed 21,185 of the allegations. However, there were also thousands of claims that a carer has stolen from their patient as well as cases of sexual and psychological abuse.

Gary Fitzgerald, chief executive of Action On Elder Abuse, said: "The reality is that we have only an illusion of protection for our elderly. If we were talking about children this situation would not be tolerated."

One in every 20 allegations of abuse results in police or criminal court action being taken.