EVERY single day at least one child in Sussex is reported to police or children’s services for neglect.

Children’s charity the NSPCC said they referred 202 cases on neglect in West Sussex to the police or children’s services last year.

They also reported a further 162 cases in East Sussex and 56 cases in Brighton and Hove - making on average more than eight referrals a week.

The latest figures released today showed the number of cases had almost doubled across the county since 2011/12 from from 223 to 420 cases.

A neighbour of one neglected child told the charity: “I saw the mother leave the house earlier this morning and it’s past midnight now. I’ve seen the children peer through the curtains a few times as if they’re waiting for her. She does this every Friday night to go out drinking with her mates.

“I am really worried about the children. What should I do?”

A family member of another suspected neglected child said: “The little boy does not seem to be getting adequate care at home. His mother doesn’t seem interested in looking after him and lets him stay up all night; she has alcohol and drug abuse problems. He is regularly being left unsupervised and I am worried that he could seriously hurt himself at home alone, because I know it has happened before.”

The charity also received dozens of calls and emails from people in Sussex seeking advice about children being neglected.

The latest figures have been revealed in the NSPCC’s report, How Safe are our Children? and comes as children’s social care in England faces unprecedented pressures, with more young people being taken into care. But the charity also fears the problem could be far greater.

Brighton and Hove City Council’s own figures showed there were 135 children subject to care plans for neglect in 2016.

Peter Wanless, chief executive of the NSPCC, 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 NSPCC, so we can alert the authorities to quickly step in and help those in need.

“It is vital we understand the true nature and scale of child neglect in the UK so we can collectively tackle the fundamental causes. Therefore, a Government commissioned, nationwide prevalence study on child abuse and neglect needs to be conducted, and sooner rather than later.”

Adults can contact the NSPCC Helpline 24 hours a day, 365 days a year on 0808 800 5000, or email help@nspcc.org.uk.

COMMON SIGNS OF CHILD NEGLECT INCLUDE:

  • Poor appearance and hygiene, they may be smelly or have unwashed clothes
  • Living in an unsuitable home environment for example dog mess being left or not having any heating
  • Left alone for a long time
  • Untreated injuries, medical and dental issues; they may have skin sores, rashes, flea bites, scabies or ringworm
  • Poor language, communication or social skills
  • Seem hungry or turn up to school without having breakfast or any lunch money