A PIONEERING initiative is under way to protect vulnerable adults from abuse.

The Darlington Adult Protection Committee was formed at the start of the year to find ways to stop the town's elderly and vulnerable people being abused by strangers or relatives.

As well as physical and mental abuse, the committee is looking at ways to stop cases of financial abuse, including relatives stealing from elderly people in their care.

The protection committee is a joint initiative between Darlington Borough Council, the police and the health authority.

As part of the scheme, the three organisations are working together to share information about people who have been mistreated and those in danger of abuse.

In the past year, Darlington social services and the police have dealt with 22 allegations of abuse of vulnerable people, in various forms, and have shared all the information about the cases.

That means if an allegation is dealt with by the police, the social services department and local health services are alerted so they can be on the lookout for further incidents of abuse.

Without this sharing of information, people providing care for a vulnerable adult might not be aware that their charge is in possible danger.

The initiative concentrates on those who are not in a safe environment and may live alone, but it also aims to help those in care homes who may be in danger.

In the coming months, the committee hopes to set up a system where people concerned about a relative or friend can question the treatment they are receiving and ensure they are protected from abuse.

The system would be independent of any care provider, so the person making the complaint would feel safe to do so.

Councillor Bill Dixon, Darlington council cabinet member for social services, said: "Vulnerable adults have long needed the same level of protection that we give to children. Our new policy and procedures are helping to increase the safety and well being of those in Darlington who need it most.