Shock new figures reveal child cruelty and neglect cases treble

THE number of child cruelty and neglect offences recorded in Staffordshire has trebled in five years.

Shock new figures show cases of youngsters being deliberately neglected, mistreated or assaulted across the county have risen sharply from 41 in 2012/13 to 127 in the last year.

Across the country as a whole, the statistics have doubled to a staggering 16,939 incidents.

Children’s charity the NSPCC is now highlighting the figures as it launches its ‘Light For Every Childhood’ Christmas Appeal.

NSPCC chief executive Peter Wanless 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.”

The campaign comes as a new partnership called Together for Childhood is being developed in Chell Heath and Fegg Hayes, with community groups the NSPCC, Stoke-on-trent City Council, Staffordshire Police, NHS trusts, children and families, the voluntary sector and schools joining together to prevent child sexual abuse.

The amount of police offences is mirrored by the number of calls made to the NSPCC helpline – totalling 19,937 last year about children suffering neglect. Three-quarters were referred urgently to police or children’s services.

Worryingly, recorded police offences of this type reveal only a fraction of neglect cases, as social workers will step in when carers cannot meet the needs of their child.

They put a plan in place to prevent issues from escalating.

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