ANY bruise discovered on a baby less than six months old will be treated as potentially suspicious, a children’s safety body has ruled.

The decision comes as a report by the Brighton and Hove Local Children’s Board showed complaints about possible abuse had soared in the past four years.

The cases of Peter Connelly, known as Baby P, the 17-month-old who died after suffering more than 50 injuries in eight months, and four-month-old Kiera, who was shaken so vigorously by her father Ross, 29, that she had a heart attack, stopped breathing and died, were looked at by the board.

As a result, it has issued guidance that any professional who comes into contact with a bruised or injured baby – however major or minor – must immediately report the incident to the Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub.

The authorities will then ask a paediatrician to carry out a medical review and, if necessary, police or social workers will launch a child protection investigation.

The professionals have a responsibility in “identifying concerns, sharing information and taking prompt action”, the board has said.

This includes midwives, health visitors, doctors, nursery and playgroup staff, teachers, youth workers, police, social workers and volunteers.

The Argus put the news to Brighton mothers who are members of an online parenting forum.

Debbie Baker said: “I think it’s a great idea. It’s extremely uncommon for babies under six months to have surface bruising as they are immobile.

“Research shows the likelihood is less than 1%.

“Child abuse in children of this age is six times more common than in children aged one to four and 120 times more common than in five to 13-year-olds.”

Sophie Pentland said: “If parents are being treated like potential abusers they are unlikely to go to the doctor about any concerns they have for their baby.

“Most people are good parents and don’t deserve to be treated suspiciously.”

A Brighton and Hove City Council spokesman, on behalf of the board, said the action was always considered good safeguarding practice and there was an established process already in place.

He said it would not cause additional workload for any staff.

From 2010/11, there were 16 reports made to child safeguarding organisations in Brighton and Hove – 221 were made from 2013/14. A total of 124 of the 221 recent complaints were substantiated.