NSPCC: urgent action needed to make sure lockdown 'does not scar the childhood of a whole generation'

The NSPCC is demanding to know how the government plans to support children recovering from abuse and trauma suffered during lockdown.

Record figures show the charity's helpline resulted in 1600 referrals to police and other agencies in the North West during the last 3 months.

It's part of a national spike in demand.

The main concerns raised have been around parental behaviour, physical and emotional abuse, neglect and sexual abuse.

One person told the helpline: "I've become increasingly disturbed by the noises coming from one of one my neighbours - it's been getting worse since the lockdown.

"I can hear the mother shouting and swearing at her two little ones, it sounds vengeful and aggressive."

"Sometimes the mother locks her kids out in the front garden as punishment - last time this happened the youngest was crying hysterically for half an hour, it was awful. Is there anything you can do?"

The charity is now calling for a clear recovery plan so that the coronavirus crisis "does not scar the childhood of a whole generation".