Neighbours worried about a child urged to call NSPCC straight away

The NSPCC today urged neighbours, friends and family members to phone its helpline immediately if they have concerns about a child's safety, after a survey showed most wait at least a month before taking action.

The plea comes as two people were convicted of killing two-year old Sanam Navsarka in Huddersfield. During the trial the court heard how a relative, a family friend and neighbours had seen the toddler's maltreatment and injuries in the four weeks of violence that led up to her death. One reportedly told the court that she didn't phone social services or the police because she thought there was nothing wrong.

An NSPCC survey of the 95,000 calls to its child protection helpline last year shows that most people leave it for at least a month before ringing, with some even waiting a year or more.

The helpline gets nearly 30 calls a day that are so serious they need urgent investigation, with one in three callers living near the abused child.

NSPCC director of public policy, Phillip Noyes said: "The immense pain that baby Sanam must have felt as she was repeatedly brutalised over a few weeks is unimaginable. It is simply tragic that too little was done to save her.

"It is too easy for babies and toddlers in particular to be abused behind closed doors and out of sight of professionals. Neighbours, relatives and family friends can be the eyes and ears which protect a child. Sadly, our helpline hears other heartrending stories of child cruelty every day of the week.

"Child protection is everyone's responsibility. We can't over-stress the importance of quickly reporting concerns about a child by calling the police, social services, or the NSPCC helpline. This is important even if people aren't sure whether the child is in serious danger. Less serious ill-treatment can sometimes escalate to extreme violence in days - with horrendous consequences.  Any delay can cost a child's life. It is far better to be safe than sorry."

In calls to the NSPCC child protection helpline, neighbours described seeing a young mother dangling her two year-old child by the wrist from a second floor window, parents constantly screaming and swearing at their children and many living in households where drugs are openly used. One shocked woman told how she went into a house where the floors were covered with rubbish and dog mess and the milk in a baby's bottle had turned green because it was so old.

Phillip Noyes continued: "Once a referral is made on any of these calls, it is critical that social workers, health professionals and police are able to see a child quickly to prevent further harm or suspected abuse."

The charity is also calling on the Government to develop a national strategy to prevent child abuse deaths.*

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Notes to Editors

*Following the tragic death of Baby P, and other vulnerable children including Baby Sanam, the NSPCC is campaigning to ensure children are better protected in the future.
http://www.nspcc.org.uk/getinvolved/campaign/
BabyP_moreabouttheissue_wda62416.html