Child cruelty offences highest in a decade

The charity’s annual child protection review – How Safe Are Our Children – shows parents or carers were reported in connection with 8,506 offences in 2014/15, compared to 4,855 in 2005/06. The huge rise in cases is reflected in the number of calls made to the NSPCC helpline about children suffering neglect. Last year, there were more than 16,000 contacts to the helpline.

Across Yorkshire, the Humber and Lincolnshire there was a 17 per cent rise in the number of child cruelty and neglect cases from 2012 to 2015.

Figures obtained by the NSPCC using the Freedom of Information Act reveal that in 2012/13 there were 456 child cruelty and neglect cases in the region, compared with 434 in 2013/14 and 537 in 2014/15. The Humber has seen a 52 per increase in the number of cases between 2012 and 2015. In 2012/13 there were 42 child cruelty and neglect cases in the Humber, compared to 89 in 2013/14 and 64 in 2014/15. South Yorkshire has seen a 39 per cent rise, with 64 cases in 2012/13 compared to 89 in 2014/15.

The NSPCC’s chief executive officer, Peter Wanless, said: “These levels of neglect simply do not belong to the 21st century. Many of these lonely, frightened, children have to resort to desperate measures to survive after being left to fend for themselves and it shames our nation that these numbers are so high. It’s an unacceptable situation which must be remedied. And we can only do that by looking out for vulnerable children and making sure that they are given the right support to prevent longer term damage to the lives of those who have survived the horror of such neglect.”

Detective Chief Superintendent Christine Wilson, of Humberside Police, said: “The increase in reporting locally is representative of the national picture and shows the confidence in police and partners in effectively investigating and responding to child abuse. We are committed to helping to tackle child abuse, support victims in overcoming the long term effect of the crime and get them the justice they deserve.”