Elderly victims of violence are confused and bitter; more and more they are being mugged - often in broad daylight-by teenage and even younger children. The attack frequently seems motivated by a need to release violent aggression - the pickings from a pensioner's purse or wallet are almost always pretty meagre. And though it's bad enough to be mugged, it's even worse to realise that, apart from medical care, the victim can expect little other help. Compensation applies only to physical injuries - and for every £1 we spend on offenders we devote lp to their victims. In other cases, when their savings are stolen, pensioners' bills run irretrievably into arrears. For some, growing old becomes a lonely nightmare, and peace of mind is replaced by fear and mistrust.