The NSPCC collected police data to discover the 62 per cent increase over the past five years (Image: PA)
According to recent police data child cruelty and neglect in the West Midlands has hiked by 62 per cent over the past five years.
The rise was flagged by NSPCC, who called for urgent improvements to child protection.
Analysis of Freedom of Information requests indicated 8,777 reported offences between April 2022 and March 2023, up from 5,411 in the previous five-year period.
Sir Peter Wanless, CEO at the NSPCC, said: "We cannot afford for this to be delayed any longer as there is a real danger we will continue to see these offences spiral upwards if significant change doesn’t happen."
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