74 cases of child cruelty, but there may be even more

DOZENS of cases of child cruelty were reported in Staffordshire during the pandemic.

Latest Home Office figures reveal 74 cases of child cruelty recorded by police in Staffordshire in 2020/21.

While that was down from 78 reports the year before, it is possible many more cases were missed by authorities during the pandemic, with children out of school during lockdowns and while quarantining.

In comparison, reports of child cruelty rose to a record high nationally and the NSPCC saw an increase in contacts to its helpline.

Child cruelty includes assault, illtreatment, neglect or abandonment of a child by anyone over the age of 16, and covers both physical and psychological suffering.

The figures come in the wake of several high-profile cases, including the deaths of Star Hobson and Arthur Labinjo-hughes.

Star was 16 months old when she was punched to death by her mother’s girlfriend in September 2020, after suffering months of physical and psychological abuse.

In a separate case, six-year-old Arthur Labinjo-hughes died of a fatal brain injury in June 2020 after being deprived of food, force-fed salt and assaulted in a “campaign of appalling cruelty” during lockdown.

In both cases, social services had been alerted to potential abuse by concerned friends and family members, but chose not to intervene.

In Staffordshire, just one person was prosecuted for cruelty to children in 2020/21, despite the 74 offences recorded. Nationally, there were 24,482 cases of child cruelty reported to police forces across England and Wales in 2020/21 - up from 21,948 in 2019/20, and a record high.

Of the cases reported last year, just 621 ended up with the suspect being charged or summonsed (3 per cent) - while 10,707 cases were dropped altogether (44 per cent).

The NSPCC Helpline is available for adults to contact if they are concerned about a child or families to speak to for support on 0808 800 500 or via help@nspcc.org.uk.