VULNERABLE and elderly people are being given a helping hand this winter thanks to the South Wales Bobby Van.

Formerly known as the Gwent Bobby Van service, the charity fits security equipment in a bid to help victims of domestic abuse, burglary, vulnerable adults and pensioners feel safer in their homes.

This month, the Bobby Van is helping 100 vulnerable and elderly people identified with partner agencies including police and social services, paying visits to homes and offering security information and advice.

Manager Roger Price said: "Christmas is a very lonely time if you are on your own and isolated. So we are going to visit 100 people, offering security advice on upgrading their security and make sure they are safe at this time of year."

Its four vans, fitters and carpenters fits burglar and panic alarms, window locks, sanctuary rooms, security lighting, CCTV and issue personal attack alarms throughout South Wales.

Since it was established in 1998, it has made more than 40,000 Gwent homes more secure.

The scheme also recently launched its new website, offering security information and advice, which Mr Price said will soon include 'how to' videos featuring things like changing locks or gates.

Mr Price said: "There's enough on there now to make it a worthwhile site, but we going to grow it with advice videos and other items. I think elderly people are much more savvy with IT these days and the new website will help people access the information."

Between April 2010 and March 2011, the Bobby Van scheme visited 376 vulnerable people and victims of crime in Blaenau Gwent, 722 in Caerphilly, 260 in Monmouthshire, 769 in Newport and 373 in Torfaen. Out of the 2,500 helped, 1,718 were described as vulnerable, 521 were victims of burglaries, 466 of domestic abuse , 1,500 were over 60 and 437 over 80.

For more information visit www.southwalesbobbyvan.org.uk