CASES of emotional abuse to children in the West Midlands have more than doubled, according to a child protection charity.

The NSPCC has revealed a dramatic rise by 59 per cent in the last 12 months, from 641 in 2015/2016 to 1,017 in the last year.

In the West Midlands 82 per cent (834) of last year’s 1,017 reports of emotional abuse were deemed so severe they were referred to the police and/or children’s services.

NSPCC Chief Executive Peter Wanless said: "Hearing reports from our helpline about parents or carers who are consistently verbally assaulting, bullying, isolating or humiliating their children is devastating.

"The huge increase in people recognising and reporting emotional abuse to our Helpline indicates people are willing to take action, but the disturbing truth is that the UK has no idea how many other children are suffering from emotional abuse or in fact, any type of abuse.

"We urgently need Government to step in now, before another eight years go by, and commission a study that gives us the clearest possible picture of the extent of child abuse and neglect in the UK."

Any adult worried about a child can contact the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000.