It is sad to see the alarming rise in complaints from pensioners living in residential and nursing homes which we reveal today.

There were 517 recorded in 2012, more than double the figure in 2009, and that should be a major cause for concern.

It is particularly disappointing to see such a steep rise after this paper launched our With Respect campaign in 2011 to try and ensure the older generation are afforded the care and dignity it deserves.

While it may be true, as is suggested by Bradford Council, that increased awareness of the issue of adult abuse had led to an increase in the number of incidents reported, that alone cannot be responsible for the figure more than doubling.

The allegations that have been reported include institutional abuse, loss of dignity and respect, neglect, discrimination and even sexual and physical abuse.

It must be stressed that these figures relate to claims and allegations rather than proven incidents, but the sharp rise in the number of complaints must be taken seriously.

The Council must be more proactive, and take a closer analytical look at the reasons for this increase and any trends that are behind it.

We all expect and deserve the right to grow old with dignity, and we should therefore ensure as much as possible that everyone in our society can expect the same right.

If individuals and their families are concerned enough to make this number of complaints, then far too many of them feel they are not being afforded that right.

We owe it to them to look into why they feel so strongly that they have been mistreated in some way, and to root out any underlying causes that may contribute to this increase.