REPORTS of serious child abuse have reached record levels, according to the NSPCC.

Calls to the NSPCC Helpline, between April 2010 and March 2011, show that cases of suspected child abuse and neglect are at an all time high.

Alison Houghton manages the branch that deals with calls from Warrington. Many are made by children.

She says the number of children who are subject to abuse could be even higher.

“There has been a big increase in referrals to the helpline over the past year,” she said.

“The volume of calls is at a similar level but the number of serious cases has increased.

“People don’t always tell us when things like this are happening.”

Mrs Houghton says that most calls relate to cases of neglect.

“There has been the biggest increase in reports of neglect,” she said.

“Often members of the public notice something is wrong.

“They see a child badly clothed, or ravenous when eating, or just left alone for long periods of time.

“There are also cases of physical and sexual abuse, but it is mainly neglect.

“Since the Baby P case people are much more aware that social workers cannot be everywhere at once, so they take it upon themselves to report things.”

In Warrington there are currently 152 children on protection plans.

Between 2009 and 2010 the NSPCC helpline received 50,000 calls, with nearly 800 coming from Cheshire.

Mrs Houghton is urging anyone who is witness to child abuse to report it.

“It’s important to increase awareness that adults need to get in touch because children can’t always do it themselves.

“Keep telling us what is happening and don’t worry if you think you might be wrong or that you’re interfering.

“Sometimes children need people to interfere.”

Anyone with concerns about a child should call the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000.

They can also e-mail help@nspcc.org.uk or make a report online at nspcc.org.uk/helpline.