Cases of child cruelty and neglect in Kent have soared by 163% in three years, new data shows.

In 2019/2020, Kent Police recorded 548 child cruelty and neglect offences, a 163% increase in three years when comparing it to the 208 offences recorded in 2016/17.

The data was analysed by children's charity NSPCC.

The organisation also examined the number of offences that took place in the first three months of Spring lockdown and found that 184 child cruelty and neglect offences were recorded by Kent Police from April 1 to June 30.

For the whole of the UK for the same time period, there were 5,476 recorded child cruelty and neglect offences.

The NSPCC has issued the findings as part of a warning that children may be at risk of abuse this Christmas and that everyone needs to play their part in keeping young people safe.

To raise awareness of the risks, a number of iconic UK landmarks including Rochester Cathedral will turn green from December 7, supporting the NSPCC’s Here for Children Christmas Appeal.

The charity has also launched a new TV appeal which depicts some of the heart-breaking abuse calls volunteers at the NSPCC run service Childline expects to take over Christmas.

It comes as an average of 50 children a day turned to Childline after suffering abuse during Spring lockdown.

As a result, counselling sessions about this issue increasing by 22% compared with pre-lockdown levels.

Peter Wanless, CEO of the NSPCC said: "The pandemic is the greatest challenge we’ve faced in decades and these figures are yet another example of its impact on vulnerable children.

"They also provide a heart-breaking picture of the concern about the number of young people who were exposed to pain and suffering following the start of the pandemic.

"This year it is even more essential that children have a place where they can seek help and support.

"Our Childline service will be running every day over the Christmas holidays, but we need the public’s support so we can ensure vulnerable children are heard."

Emma, from Kent, was the eldest of seven siblings and grew up in a chaotic, neglectful household.

She was subjected to emotional and mental torment and was made to believe she was saying, thinking and doing things that she wasn’t.

She was often made the scapegoat and given punishments such as isolation and having her head shaved.

'This year it is even more essential that children have a place where they can seek help and support...'

Emma, 31, said: "The one good thing I think I can remember about my childhood is that Christmas was a good time.

"It was the only time that I got treated like the others.

"My mum always bought us ‘Santa sacks’ of presents for Christmas morning and she didn’t leave me out like she did for the rest of the year.

"When I went into care aged 11, adjusting was so hard.

"In that first year I was in about eight or nine placements and then I got moved to a children’s home.

"The first place I got sent to, I was there for about six weeks and I couldn’t eat.

"It was Christmastime, and I hadn’t been in care for long.

"The foster carer ended up saying she didn’t want me there because it was ‘family time’ so I was sent away and then went back in the New Year.

"On Christmas day that year, I woke up and was expecting a ‘Santa sack’.

"That first year when I didn’t get that, I interpreted it as Santa not getting me anything because I was bad. I still believed in Santa then."

Signs that children are being abused include untreated injuries, medical and dental issues, repeated accidental injuries caused by lack of supervision, recurring illnesses or infections, faltering weight or growth, poor language, communication or social skills and having unwashed clothes or inadequate clothing.

Adults concerned about a child can contact the NSPCC helpline seven days a week on 0808 800 5000, or email help@nspcc.org.uk

The NSPCC is also urging the Government to ensure that a comprehensive recovery plan is put in place that sees children get the help they need in the short and long term, including investment in support for victims before, during and after the criminal justice process.

The charity is calling on the public to donate £20 to the NSPCC so that services like Childline can support children this Christmas. Visit here.

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