Calls to NSPCC rise 37%

CALLS to the NSPCC Helpline reporting suspected child abuse and neglect have reached record levels, the charity has revealed.

From April, 2010, to March, 2011, trained NSPCC counsellors working on the 24-hour freephone service referred 16,385 serious cases to police or social services — 37 per cent higher than the previous year and the biggest annual increase in referrals to the Helpline yet recorded.

There are currently around 46,000 children of all ages on a local child protection plan or register, including 6,798 in the North-West, of which 310 are from Oldham.

The charity is calling for a shift in UK child protection policy towards earlier intervention. Almost half the people who contacted the Helpline last year were reporting concerns so serious they needed to be passed on to the authorities — up from 39 per cent the previous year.

John Cameron, head of the NSPCC Helpline, said: “We must pick up on children’s problems as early as we can to stop their abuse. Members of the public can be their eyes and ears. The rise in serious child abuse calls shows our helpline is needed as much as ever. We urge people in Oldham not to hesitate even if they have doubts. It could be the difference between life and death for a child.”

The biggest increase was for neglect, which jumped 81 per cent to 6,438 cases, followed by 4,113 cases of reported physical abuse and 1,520 cases of sexual abuse.

The NSPCC Helpline is on 0808-800 5000 or email help@nspcc.org.uk.