A CHILDRENS charity referred more the double the amount of child neglect cases to police and social services in Worcestershire than five years ago, shocking new figures have revealed.

Between 2016 and 2017 the NSPCC Helpline dealt with 233 reports in this way, following calls or emails from concerned adults.

This is the highest number the charity has ever had to handle for the county, and staggeringly more than doubled from 104 incidents recorded five years ago.

The rise in figures are in line with a national trend that show the NSPCC Helpline made 16,882 referrals to children’s services or the police in the same period – equivalent to 46 a day, with many cases involving children under five.

Neglect is defined by the charity as everytime a child’s needs are not met, and can be caused by several reasons, ranging from parents not having the skills, support or funds, to them having mental health issues.

A growing number of people contacting the NSPCC Helpline also described parents as having a problem with alcohol and drugs, with some of them regularly leaving their children unsupervised.

In one call to the charity's helpline, a neighbour told a staff member she had regularly seen a mother leave children in a house early on a Friday morning and not returning until the next day, after she had been out drinking with friends.

The figures have been released as part of NSPCC’s state of the nation report, How Safe are our Children? and the charity is urging people to continue reporting cases of neglect.

Signs of neglect include poor appearance and hygiene, living in an unsuitable home environment for example dog mess being left or not having any heating, children being left alone for long periods, untreated medical issues, and youngsters turning up to school without having had breakfast or lunch money.

Sandra McNair, NSPCC head of service for the Midlands, said: “Neglect can have severe and long-lasting consequences for children, and can also be an indicator of other forms of abuse.

"This is why it is so important for anyone suspecting a child of being neglected to contact the helpline, so we can alert the authorities to quickly step in and help those in need.

“At the same time, it is vital we understand the true nature and scale of child neglect in the UK so we can collectively tackle the fundamental causes."

To report suspected child abuse cases call the NSPCC 24-hour helpline, on 0808 800 5000, or email help@nspcc.org.uk.