CAMPAIGNERS battling child abuse have revealed a 61-per-cent increase in cases referred to other agencies in Hampshire.

The NSPCC Helpline has seen a huge rise in the number of calls considered serious enough to warrant further investigation by police and local authorities.

New figures show 723 calls were referred to other agencies in the county in 2015/16, compared with 448 in 2012/13.

Across the UK, 33,333 contacts were passed on in 2015/16 compared with 23,733 in 2012/13.

Many of the calls were about young people becoming the victims of sexual abuse, children living in squalid conditions, starving toddlers and youngsters forced into slavery.

The charity said the figures reflected growing awareness of child abuse and the public's growing refusal to turn a blind eye to the issue.

In Hampshire the number of child neglect calls referred to other agencies rose from 188 in 2012/13 to 318 last year – up 69 per cent.

Referrals relating to physical abuse rose from 108 in 2012/13 to 174 in 2015/16 – up 61 per cent.

Hampshire also saw a 62-per-cent increase in the number of cases involving emotional abuse that were referred to other organisations.

It comes just days after the NSPCC revealed its helpline received an average 10 calls a day from people worried about children living in a dangerous or risky home.

The charity has recently launched its new "Alfie" advertising campaign aimed at raising awareness of what a child can achieve when freed from abuse.

Helpline team manager Louise Exton said Britain was "more alive" to the issue of child abuse following high-profile scandals involving Jimmy Savile and other celebrities.

She added: "People have become increasingly concerned and aware of the tell-tale signs of abuse and neglect in children.

"Our helpline is an invaluable service for those worried about the safety of a young person.

“It’s a big decision to involve local authorities or police and our counsellors will only act when there is genuine concern for a child's welfare."

The free helpline provides people with a place where they can get advice and support, share their concerns about a child or obtain general information about child protection.

Adults can contact the 24-hour helpline by calling 0808 800 5000, texting 88858 or going online and visiting nspcc.org.uk