Neglect & cruelty cases double in 5 years

CAGE DEATH Ellie-May CHILD cruelty and neglect crimes have more than doubled in five years. The 16,939 offences in 2018 were up from 7,965 in 2013, police data collated by the NSPCC shows.

The charity also had 19,937 calls and emails about child neglect last year, with three quarters referred to police or children’s services.

It was the most common reason for contacting the helpline, cited in 31% of calls or emails. And 27,856 children were put on a child protection plan last year.

NSPCC chief Peter Wanless said the cause of the rise was “unclear” but greater public awareness and improvements in police recording “could be factors, along with deeper societal issues”.

The Houses of Parliament were lit green on Monday as part of the the charity’s campaign to raise awareness of child neglect.

Mr Wanless also urged the public to fund the NSPCC helpline by giving to its Light For Every Childhood Christmas Appeal.

Last week a mother and her ex-partner who strapped 19-month Ellie-May Minshull-Coyle face down in a “cage bed” where she died were jailed for 10 years.