Scores of families in Black Country and Staffordshire referred to authorities for leaving children home-alone

A total of 68 referrals to police, children's services or social services were made by the NSPCC in 2015/16 – up four on the previous year.

The cases were passed on to the authorities after calls were made to the NSPCC helpline.

The charity has warned parents to think carefully before they leave their children alone.

A total of 1,883 referrals were made by the NSPCC across England and Wales last year, an increase from 1,826 the year before.

And last year the NSPCC helpline took 2,489 calls from adults concerned that children were being left unattended.

Some 888 of these - 36 per cent - happened in the school summer holidays from July to September.

The total number of referrals is gradually rising, from 60 in 2013/14, to 64 in 2014/15 and 68 in 2015/16.

In 2015/16, there were 14 in Dudley (up from 10 the previous year); 13 in Walsall (up from five), 12 in Wolverhampton (up from 11), six in Sandwell (down from 11) and 23 in Staffordshire (down from 27).

Birmingham (up from 36 in 2014/15 to 37 in 2015/16), Coventry (up from five to eight) and Nottingham (up from eight to 14) were the only other parts of the Midlands to see an increase.

There is no set age for leaving a child alone, but the law states there should be no risk of harm to the child.

And it is suggested babies and toddlers are never left on their own and under-16s should not be left alone overnight.

The NSPCC will refer a case to other agencies, such as the police or children's services, if there are serious concerns for a child's welfare.

Karol Keenan, NSPCC service manager in the West Midlands, said: "Leaving children home alone can put them at risk of harm which could result in serious consequences.

"Although there's no legal minimum age for leaving children alone at home, the law says that you shouldn't leave children home alone if they'll be at risk. We don't believe it's acceptable to leave babies, toddlers or very young children home alone for any length of time.

"Children mature at different rates so it's vital there is some flexibility for parents in making these decisions but talking to children about whether they feel OK being left alone and asking yourself questions like 'would they know what to do in an emergency?' are helpful to parents to help them think about making these decisions in the child's best interest.

"The NSPCC has advice for parents who are thinking of leaving there children home alone which you can find as NSPCC.org.uk."

Anyone with concerns about a child to contact the 24-hour NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000. And parents are also urged to call if they need advice about leaving children alone.