East Suffolk Council
Free door chains for residents in the Lowestoft area
Older residents in the Lowestoft area are being offered free door security chains to help increase their home security.
A scheme to offer elderly residents free security measures, set up after a murder investigation was launched into the death of an elderly woman in Pakefield, has now been expanded.
Spartans Landscaping Services began offering free door security chains to concerned older residents in the village after the death of 82-year-old Joy Middleditch.
Seeing that other older residents across the wider Lowestoft area were also expressing concerns about safety in their homes, East Suffolk Council’s Communities Team has now helped to expand this service to cover Lowestoft, as well as Pakefield.
Funded by Lowestoft Rising, the door chains and screws are being supplied by Smith Bros Timber Ltd and can be fitted for free by Spartans Landscaping Services.
Phil Aves from Lowestoft Rising said: “We know some older people are concerned about their home security following the incident in Pakefield. Having seen that a local business was offering to fit door chains for free, we wanted to support this service and help more people to benefit from the scheme. We hope that this will help our older and more vulnerable residents to feel more secure in their homes.”
Residents can request a door chain by calling Spartans on 07742 139900.
Police are continuing to investigate the death of Joy Middleditch. Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Major Investigation Team, preferably using the online portal or by calling 101 quoting the reference 37/17537/23.
On 31 March, two teenagers were arrested on suspicion of the murder of Joy Middleditch. They have since been released on bail.
Suffolk Police have a range of home safety advice available. Any suspicious activity should be reported to Suffolk Police by calling 101, or 999 in an emergency.