Cumbria Police to raise awareness of child abuse and neglect as part of national campaign

Cumbria Police are supporting a national campaign to raise awareness of protecting children and young people from child abuse and neglect.

Between April 2015 and March 2017, Cumbria Police recorded 307 child cruelty and neglect offences.

The offences included young children being left home alone, assaulted, and being left in the care of those under the influence of alcohol.

A campaign launched by the Department for Education has shown that there could be more unreported cases, as a third of people who suspect child abuse do nothing about it through fear of thinking they could be wrong.

The ‘Together, we can tackle child abuse’ scheme aims to change these views, and encourage people to raise their concerns.

Cumbria Police will hold an event on Facebook from the 24th to the 28th of July, allowing members of the public to ask questions about child abuse and neglect.

The questions will be answered by representatives from Cumbria Police, Children’s Services and the NSPCC.

Anyone who has concerns about the welfare of a child can contact:

• Police on 101

• Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111

• NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000

• Childline on 0800 1111

• Cumbria LSCB Safeguarding Hub on 0333 240 1727