Child cruelty and neglect cases triple in Shropshire over five years

The figures, from the NSPCC, also show that the number of the offences recorded across the UK has doubled over the same period.

In West Mercia, which includes Shropshire, there were 354 cases in 2017/18, compared to 103 in 2012/13.

In Dyfed Powys the number more than doubled from 63 in 2012/13 to 136 in 2017/18.

In the UK as a whole there were 16,939 child cruelty and neglect offences recorded by police in 2017/18, up from 7,965 in 2012/13.

Reports to the police included extreme cases of when a parent or carer deliberately neglected, assaulted, abandoned or exposed their child to serious harm.

The NSPCC is using the figures to raise awareness of child neglect and its ‘Light For Every Childhood’ Christmas Appeal.

The charity says that the number of offences recorded by the police is mirrored by the number of calls made to its helpline – totalling 19,937 last year about children suffering neglect – with three quarters referred urgently to police or children’s services.

Suffering

Tracey Hamer, NSPCC helpline practitioner, explained the stark nature of one of the reports she had received.

She said: “The police went out to do a welfare check, and later told me that mum had been found unwell and violently vomiting and unable to care for her three-year-old daughter.

“The house was in a state of disrepair and the kitchen worktops were covered in dirty crockery with mould on them. The washing machine was broken, and mum said that water would come up through the pipes when she tried to use it so she couldn’t clean any clothes."

Last year there were 27,856 children in the UK on a child protection plan or register for concerns involving neglect.

The NSPCC Christmas Appeal is calling for donations to its helpline – which is open throughout the holidays – so it can be there for children suffering from neglect at Christmas and all year round.

Peter Wanless, CEO of the NSPCC said: “It’s unclear exactly why the number of child neglect and cruelty offences has risen so dramatically, but greater public awareness and improvements in how police record offences could be factors, along with deeper societal issues.

“Whatever the reasons for the increase in child neglect there is something we can all do about it now, we need to be aware of vulnerable children and be ready to report it to the NSPCC or the authorities if we are concerned for their safety or wellbeing.

“We are appealing to the generous nature of the public to support our Light For Every Childhood Christmas Appeal to help us be there for even more young people in need.”

People who are concerned about a child can contact the NSPCC helpline seven days a week on 0808 800 5000, or email help@nspcc.org.uk.