YP Comment: Vigilance can stop evil frauds - Public's duty to protect elderly

In North Yorkshire alone, more than 1,000 of the 2,500 cases of fraud reported to police last year involved victims aged over 70 who lost a combined £2.5m to such criminals.

Many victims fall prey to a phone call from someone claiming to be from a legitimate organisation such as a bank, utility company or even the police, who then tricks them into revealing financial information or transferring money into a third party account operated by criminals.

As North Yorkshire Police’s head of fraud and economic crime Jon Hodgeon openly admits, the figures are both colossal and extremely worrying.

Police are now increasing efforts to prevent such crimes and will be visiting elderly people in the next few weeks to provide them with advice and information on being aware of such scams.

But the public has a duty to assist as well. Family, friends and neighbours of elderly people in the county have a vital role to play in ensuring there is greater vigilance.

It is an unfortunate reality that such crimes will not be disappearing in the foreseeable future as the financial incentive to the morally-bankrupt criminals involved is too great. But being aware of the tactics they employ can help reduce their likelihood of success.

Most of the advice on offer is simple common sense but well worth repeating to those who could be most at risk.

From hanging up on suspicious callers to having a conversation with a family member or friend before committing to doing anything which involves providing personal details or a financial transaction, the message is a simple one; it is far better to be safe than sorry.

Election questions - Conservatives under pressure

Conservative chairman Sir Patrick McLoughlin may insist that the party is “very content” with the way the election is going but it is hardly controversial to state the campaign is not unfolding in the way Theresa May envisaged it would.

The unique dynamics of this election campaign have resulted in different polling companies forecasting everything from a hung parliament to a 100-seat Conservative majority this week. The unpredictable state of affairs means the Prime Minister and Mr McLoughlin are correct to a large extent when they say the only poll that matters is the one on election day itself.

However, although polls must be approached with caution, it is clear there is concern within Conservative ranks at findings showing the party’s lead over Labour has narrowed from more than 20 points at the start of the campaign to less than half of that now.

Mrs May called the snap election in April with a clear ambition that the campaign would be centred around who the country wants to lead Brexit negotiations. But instead the headlines have been dominated by her U-turn on the so-called ‘dementia tax’, Jeremy Corbyn’s well-honed skills on the campaign trail and awkward questions over the current funding available to the NHS and schools.

Mrs May hoped this election campaign would deliver her both a commanding majority and an overwhelming personal mandate from British voters. But with just one week to go until voters head to the polls, it remains to be seen whether her calculated risk of calling an election will prove to have been a gamble worth taking for the Prime Minister and her party.

Minster on film - New technology to help tourism

York Minster has an incredible past – and now new technology is to make one of the world’s greatest Gothic cathedrals ready for the future.

The fables of York Minster have captured the imaginations of millions of visitors from across the world but are now being brought to life for a new generation thanks to a new phone app.

York is one of 12 of England’s historic cities which has collaborated to develop a so-called “innovative augmented reality product”, with specially-created videos designed to transport visitors back in time.

While the fancy jargon may raise an eyebrow, if the technology attracts new visitors and leaves users with greater knowledge and insight into the workings of the Minster it can only be welcomed.

The cathedral has a history that belongs not just to Yorkshire and the UK but the world as a whole, and is something that should be celebrated for generations to come.