UK Covid Inquiry: Hourglass Feedback
Charity welcomes review of how older victims are treated
4th March 2026
4 min read
Hourglass has welcomed a new inspection by His Majesty’s Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate (HMCPSI).
This inspection finds that older victims of crime generally receive a good service from prosecutors, but warns that court delays and an overly complex policy framework risk leaving older people waiting too long for justice.
The inspection, published today, examined 168 cases and assessed how the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) supports older victims throughout the prosecution process. Inspectors found that prosecutors often identify vulnerability well in practice and make appropriate use of special measures to support older victims to give their best evidence.
Hourglass worked closely with HMCPSI throughout the inspection, providing written evidence, sharing frontline insight from its work supporting older victim-survivors, and contributing to the development of the inspection framework. The charity welcomed the inspectorate’s commitment to centring victim experience and engaging meaningfully with specialist third sector organisations.
The report highlights serious concerns about delays in the court system, noting the disproportionate impact these have on older victims, whose health and circumstances may deteriorate while cases are repeatedly adjourned. Inspectors also found that the current approach to identifying and monitoring crimes against older people is overly complex and prone to error, with around a third of cases incorrectly flagged.
Significantly, the inspection reflects a number of issues consistently raised by Hourglass, including the need to lower the age threshold used to identify older victims, move away from a quasi-hate-crime model, and improve the quality and transparency of data. HMCPSI recommends that the CPS simplify its approach by recognising all victims aged 60 and over, focusing on vulnerability rather than rigid definitions, and strengthening monitoring.
Veronica Gray, Deputy CEO and Head of Policy at Hourglass, said:
“We are grateful to HMCPSI for engaging closely with Hourglass throughout this inspection and for taking older victims’ lived experiences seriously. The report rightly recognises the commitment of prosecutors, while also being clear that the current framework is too complex and is producing inconsistent outcomes. We are particularly pleased to see our recommendations reflected in the inspectorate’s findings, including lowering the age threshold to 60 and simplifying the approach so that all older victims are consistently recognised and supported. We urge the CPS to adopt the recommendations in full and look forward to continuing to work constructively with them to support implementation.”
Baroness Hughes, Hourglass Patron said:“Older victims of crime face particular barriers in being heard and supported, especially when cases are delayed or systems are overly complex. I welcome moves to create a clearer, more consistent approach that focuses on vulnerability and ensures older people are not overlooked. This is an important moment to strengthen confidence in the justice system for older victims.”
Hourglass, the only UK-wide charity dedicated to ending the abuse and neglect of older people, has long called for greater consistency in how older victims are identified, better data to understand the scale and nature of abuse, and a justice system that responds with urgency to the realities of ageing and vulnerability.
The report makes three recommendations for the CPS to implement by September 2026:
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simplifying the definition of crimes against older people to include all victims aged 60 and over;
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removing the requirement to treat these cases as ‘quasi-hate crimes’ and focusing instead on individual vulnerability;
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strengthening monitoring and data quality to ensure older victims are properly recognised.
Hourglass said the inspection provides a strong foundation for reform and an important opportunity to strengthen confidence among older victim-survivors that they will be seen, supported, and treated with urgency by the justice system.
ENDS
Hourglass media contacts:
Richard Robinson, CEO – richardrobinson@wearehourglass.org | 07552 245232 / 07807 229447
Veronica Gray, Deputy CEO / Policy Director – veronicagray@wearehourglass.org | 07496 663816
Richard Robinson, CEO – richardrobinson@wearehourglass.org | 07552 245232 / 07807 229447
Veronica Gray, Deputy CEO / Policy Director – veronicagray@wearehourglass.org | 07496 663816
Notes to Editors:
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Hourglass is the only UK-wide charity focused solely on the abuse and neglect of older people.
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Every year, one in six people over 60 experience abuse – that’s around 2.6 million older people.
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The charity provides a free 24/7 helpline (0808 808 8141), community-based support, and policy advocacy to end the abuse of older people.
About Hourglass
Hourglass is a UK-wide charity with a presence in all four nations. It aims to protect and prevent the abuse of vulnerable older people by raising awareness of the issues, encouraging education and giving information and support to those in need. It has the only national freephone helpline dedicated to this cause, open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, on 0808 808 8141 for confidential support and information.
Hourglass is urging those keen to support the charity to donate by visiting www.wearehourglass.org.uk/donate or Text SAFER to 70460 to donate £10. Texts cost £10 plus one standard rate message and you’ll be opting in to hear more about our work and fundraising via telephone and SMS. If you’d like to give £10 but do not wish to receive marketing communications, text SAFERNOINFO to 70460.
Hourglass is a registered charity in England and Wales (1140543), and also in Scotland (SC046278)
If you or anyone you know is suffering from abuse contact our 247 helpline
0808 808 8141
