Scores of child neglect cases reported to authorities in Sunderland by NSPCC

The NSPCC made 98 referrals in Sunderland in a year and 184 in County Durham over concerns of children's welfare.

The charity’s national Helpline is contacted on average 55 times a day by adults worried about neglect, with reports ranging from children being left unsupervised or with inadequate clothing, to being screamed at or living among mouldy food and animal faeces.

Many of these calls were so serious that they led to 968 referrals to police, child protection agencies and local authorities across the North East and Cumbria.

To raise awareness of child neglect – the most common type of abuse affecting children in the UK - the NSPCC has launched its ‘Light For Every Childhood’ Christmas Appeal.

In 2017/18 the Helpline dealt with 19,937 calls and emails about child neglect - a third of all contacts to the NSPCC – with hundreds happening during the 12 days of Christmas.

During the festive period extended family members often get in touch with the NSPCC after spending more time with a young relative and becoming concerned for the child’s welfare.

The NSPCC Christmas Appeal is calling for donations to the NSPCC Helpline - which is open throughout the holidays - so they can answer more calls and help children suffering neglect both at Christmas and all year round.

Nationally almost three quarters (73%) of cases involving neglect reported to the NSPCC Helpline, a service run by child protection professionals, including social workers, teachers and health specialists, were serious enough to be referred to children services and the police for further investigation.

Peter Wanless, chief executive of the NSPCC said: “Neglect doesn’t stop because it is Christmas, the holidays can in fact magnify problems because children are cut-off fromthe wider community and their support network.

“While it is positive that people are being vigilant and reporting concerns of children suffering neglect rather than standing by, it is still deeply worrying to see that neglect continues to be the most common reason for contacting the NSPCC Helpline.