550 Cumbrian child neglect cases in last five years

The News & Star reveals today the scale of the allegations looked at by detectives, which they say are "sadly not uncommon".

Figures obtained under the Freedom Of Information Act also show only 177 of these inquires ended in prosecutions.

One hundred and thirty cautions were issued over the same period – between 2011 and 2015.

Police stress there are often various factors that have to be taken into account, including previous offending history and steps parents or guardians might have taken to cope with any difficulties.

They add cases are not always straightforward and may not feature a youngster who has been deliberately mistreated.

The NSPCC said the 556 cases in this period involved real children - and stressed neglect and cruelty can have a devastating impact on people's lives.

The figures shocked Cumbria county councillor Anne Burns, the cabinet member for children's services.

She said: "One child being mistreated is bad enough - never mind 550.

"We want everyone to recognise that there is help out there.

"If parents are feeling stressed or under pressure and feel they can't cope then they can talk to us.

"No child should have to suffer because their parents can't cope."

Detective Inspector Brian Murray spoke about the issue.

He said: “Reports of child neglect and cruelty are sadly not uncommon across the country, and Cumbria is no different.

"We take each and every report of concern for children’s welfare extremely seriously, and work with our partners to establish how best to deal with each individual case.

“The decision to charge someone with child neglect is not taken lightly, with the focus always being on the best interest of the child.

"We always look at the specific circumstances of those involved and any steps a parent or carer has taken to cope with any difficulties they are facing.

"The previous offending history of a parent or carer is always taken into account.

"Where specific criteria is met then a caution, instead of a charge, may be the most appropriate response in line with national guidance."

He added: “In some cases police will take no further action and this can be for a number of reasons – for example, the evidence does not meet the high burden of proof required for a successful prosecution, or because the public interest is not served by prosecution.

"Each case is carefully investigated and all evidence and information considered before any decision is made on the most appropriate way to finalise the case."

Recent high profile cases in Cumbria include that of babysitter Sandro Furtado, who was jailed for more than four years after he left a toddler home alone in the middle of the night.

Furtado, 20, of Tithe Barn Street, Currock, Carlisle, abandoned the two-year-old after its mother left him looking after it on April 8 while she went to work.

Furtado was jailed for four years and two months after admitting ill-treating/neglecting a child and aggravated burglary.

In another case, a mother who had relationships with a series of sex offenders was given a two-year suspended prison sentence for child neglect offences over a two-year period.

In September, a husband and wife found living with their children in squalid conditions in a Carlisle home were given three-year community orders with supervision after they each admitted a charge of child neglect.

When police entered their home they were greeted with dire living conditions.

An NSPCC spokesman said: “Every child should have a happy and healthy childhood.

"But if a child is neglected or suffers cruelty it can have a devastating impact on their whole lives.

“It is worth remembering that those 556 cases involve real children who have experienced terrible ordeals.

“It is easy to think that these children live far away, that they aren’t in our communities.

"But the NSPCC hears about these situations all over the country and the same will be true in Cumbria.

“It is also likely the full extent of child neglect and cruelty will go far beyond these figures as children slip through the net and their suffering is not reported.

DI Murray added: “I would like to reassure the public that all reports of child neglect or cruelty are thoroughly investigated, in a sensitive and professional way.

"Our priority at all times is to keep children safe, and we will continue to work with partners to tackle any reports of neglect and cruelty.

"If someone is found to be deliberately hurting a child we will work hard to bring them justice.”

Carlisle city councillor Lee Sherriff, who is responsible for communities, health and wellbeing, said: "It's a very high number but what it does show is that cases are being reported and surely that's a good thing.

"We need intervention to stop this happening."

Anyone who may have concerns about the wellbeing of a child can contact police on 101 - or the NSPCC’s helpline on 0808 800 5000 for support and advice.