Reports of child welfare concerns at record levels in lockdown

A RECORD number of people contacted the NSPCC with child welfare concerns in May, up roughly a third from pre-lockdown levels.

More than 22,000 adults contacted the charity’s helpline from April to June, with May seeing 8,287 contacts – the highest monthly number on record.

This is up 32% from the average number of people contacting the NSPCC during the three months before the coronavirus lockdown.

The main concerns raised have been about parental behaviour, physical and emotional abuse, neglect and sexual abuse.

Around four in 10 of the calls or messages received were referred on to local authorities or the police, the NSPCC said.

One person told the helpline: “I’ve become increasingly disturbed by the noises coming from one of one my neighbours – it’s been getting worse since the lockdown.

“I can hear the mother shouting and swearing at her two little ones, it sounds vengeful and aggressive.

“Sometimes the mother locks her kids out in the front garden as punishment – last time this happened the youngest was crying hysterically for half an hour, it was awful. Is there anything you can do?”

Peter Wanless, NSPCC chief executive, said: “The increase in contacts to our helpline during the lockdown highlights how the home has become an increasingly unhealthy and even dangerous place for some children.

“We must all play our part in supporting children to recover from the mental and physical harm many will have suffered these past few months.

“Government’s role is crucial and it must put in place a detailed recovery plan which will support children and young people and make sure they can receive the expert help they need if they have had difficult or damaging experiences.

“Putting children at the heart of recovery planning and taking this action quickly will mean the crisis of the last three months does not scar the childhood of a whole generation.”

Meanwhile, postal staff, delivery drivers and plumbers are being encouraged to look out for signs of child abuse in a campaign backed by police chiefs.

The Children’s Society and the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) are urging neighbours and key workers to stay alert to signs that children may be at risk.

Charities fear abuse may have been going undetected through the lockdown because children are spending more time at home.

There are also concerns children may be being exploited by organised criminals to deliver drugs.