CASES of abused or neglected children across Worcestershire have increased 53 per cent in just three years - with anti-cruelty campaigners concerned about the shock rise.

Data from social workers has revealed how last year 2,492 children in the county were deemed to be either neglected or abused during visits to householders.

Back in 2012 it stood at 1,626, with the figures since then tracking what child safety experts call "a sustained increase" year-on-year.

Under Government rules children's social workers have to put each assessment into a category kept on a national 'children in need' database.

The NSPCC (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children) has examined the rises and say it paints a "worrying" picture.

Bosses at County Hall have pointed to demand being at near-record levels, with 706 children in care at the end of March compared to 530 at the start of the decade.

The number of youngsters officially classed as abused or neglected by social workers was at its highest levels ever last year in Worcestershire.

A spokesman for the NSPCC said: "These worrying figures show the sheer scale of the challenge facing authorities as they strive to keep children safe.

"Greater awareness of issues such as abuse and neglect is likely to be a factor in the increase, as more people come forward with concerns following a number of high profile cases.

"But behind each of these statistics is a child in need of help.

"It's vital anyone worried about a child speaks out and lets them get the help they need."

The children in need database keeps track of young people who get assessed by a social worker, but do not meet the threshold for formal child protection measures.

The county council spent a record £35 million in the 2015/16 financial year on children in care.

A council spokesman said: "The numbers of children in need in Worcestershire reflect national increases and the pressures faced by social care departments across the country.

"We remain committed to safeguarding children in Worcestershire and taking action to protect children who have suffered abuse or neglect.

"This increase in the number of children in need who were deemed to have suffered abuse or neglect has to be understood in the context of improved services that support children and young people to speak out.

"It also helps identify potential abuse or neglect at an early stage."

Council chiefs also say they believe the way other authorities classify the reasons for putting children down as abused or neglected vary.

* Do you know of any abused children in Worcestershire? Call the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000.