MORE than 10 reports of alleged abuse against vulnerable adults were made every week in the borough last year, with more than a third relating to care homes.

Statistics released by Cheshire West and Chester Council reveal there were 555 “concerns or enquiries” raised with the authorities between April 2017 and March 2018.

Of these, 200 cases of alleged abuse were said to have taken place in care homes and 193 in people’s own homes behind closed doors. A total of 15 related to hospitals.

Almost a third of the cases (165) involved alleged victims in the 85-94 age bracket and around two thirds were women (360).

The figures form part of the council-led Local Safeguarding Adults Board annual report which has just been published and will be presented to the People Overview and Scrutiny Committee next week.

They show that of the 555 reports, 219 came from “concerns”, 45 from “other enquiries” and 291 from “Section 42 enquiries” by CWaC.

Section 42 enquiries are instigated by local authorities under The Care Act 2014 in response to indications of abuse or neglect of vulnerable adults.

Of the 555 alleged abuse cases, 168 were said to be perpetrated by care staff, 32 by people’s partners and 137 by other family members.

Health care workers were linked to 29 cases, friends and neighbours to 36 and strangers to 55.

“Other professionals” accounted for 11 of the allegations while other vulnerable adults were said to be responsible for 34. The remaining 53 were classed as “unknown”.

Types of abuse range from financial to emotional and domestic with physical abuse and neglect making up the majority of cases.

The safeguarding board has stressed that the figures are based on concerns and enquiries, not substantiated cases and “demonstrate an increase in self-referrals and awareness”.

The Standard asked the council, the police and the Government’s health watchdog, the Care Quality Commission (CQC), for comments on the figures.

Cllr Paul Dolan, Cabinet Member for Adults, said: “Cheshire West and Chester Council is proud to promote a culture of openness and transparency and actively encourages residents, their families and care home staff to share any concerns that they may have.

“It’s important to note that the figures contained in this report refer to alleged claims, rather than substantiated ones.

“The council and its partners will continue to encourage the reporting of concerns. We work closely with care providers to ensure that the quality of care provided is of a good standard and vulnerable residents in our borough feel safe and protected.”

The CQC said it would only comment if trends were spotted, for example if concerns were linked to a single care provider, but stressed it was happy the correct safeguarding procedures were in place in Cheshire West.

Detective Chief Superintendent Denise Worth, Head of Cheshire Constabularies Public Protection Directorate, said: “Any form of abuse, whether it is in a care home or a residential home, is incredibly upsetting and frightening for victims.

“It is also incredibly cruel when it happens to a vulnerable person who believes they are going to be cared for by a professional health worker.

“We have specialist officers in place to help victims who are suffering from such horrendous abuse who can come forward in confidence knowing we are here to listen and provide support.

“If you, or someone you know, is a victim of abuse please contact Cheshire Police on 101.”