Major rise in calls to child abuse hotline amid increasing reports of neglect

Phone contacts to the NSPCC have shot up by almost two-thirds in Wolverhampton, Sandwell, Dudley and Walsall over the past three years, and by more than a half in Staffordshire.

The figures concern calls considered serious enough to be referred to external agencies such as councils and the police.

A breakdown shows 831 contacts were passed on across the four Black Country council areas in 2015-16, a 64 per cent increase from the 504 in 2012-13.

In Staffordshire, the number rose by 52 per cent from 300 to 458.

The charity said the figures reflected both an increasing refusal by the public to turn a blind eye to child abuse and also a growing demand for their services.

The NSPCC 24-hour helpline figures reveal that referrals in the Black Country due to physical abuse rose from 163 in 2012-13 to 258 in 2015-16, a rise of 58 per cent.

In Staffordshire they increased by 80 per cent, from 68 to 123.

Contacts from the public about neglect of a child rose from 219 in 2012-13 to 359 last year, up 64 per cent.

The total in Staffordshire went up by 48 per cent, from 128 to 190.

Calls about emotional abuse more than doubled in the Black Country boroughs – from 47 in 2012-13 to 110 in 2015-16.

In Staffordshire there was a 61 per cent increase from 47 to 76.

The number of referrals about sexual abuse increased by 32 per cent while in Staffordshire it soared by 78 per cent.

There were five referrals made about slavery in the Black Country in the past year, three in Sandwell and two in Wolverhampton, along with one in Staffordshire.

Nationally, the number of referrals has risen by 40 per cent since the Jimmy Savile scandal first came to light in 2012.

The concerns raised by members of the public ranged from those worried about young people being victims of sexual abuse to children living in squalid conditions, and from fears about starving toddlers to youngsters thrust into slavery.

Earlier this month the NSPCC revealed its helpline received an average of 10 contacts a day nationally from people concerned about children living in a dangerous or risky home.

The charity has also launched its new Alfie advertising campaign aimed at raising awareness of what a child can achieve when freed from abuse.

Sandra McNair, NSPCC Midlands head of service, said: "These figures reveal a nation that is more alive to the issues of child abuse following recent high profile scandals and the ongoing investigation into non-recent child abuse.

"They have become increasingly concerned and aware of the tell-tale signs of abuse and neglect in children and our helpline is an invaluable service for people worried about the safety of a young person.

"But when people are worried, and feel they need to speak to someone, they can be reassured they will be listened to and taken seriously."

The free helpline provides advice and support about child protection.

Contact the helpline 24 hours a day, 365 days a year on 0808 800 5000, by texting 88858 or at www.nspcc.org.uk