THE NUMBER of reports of abuse and neglect of vulnerable adults in Hampshire has gone up by 79 per cent.

The county council has dealt with 1,437 reported incidents, compared with 804 the year before.

Action was taken to stop the abuse in about 40 per cent of cases while a further 40 per cent were not proven.

Only three per cent of cases have a criminal investigation pending. The council said the figures showed increased public awareness and better training to help staff spot if people are suffering rather than an increase in levels of abuse.

Daily Echo: For a video of the top stories in today's Daily Echo, click the front page.

Elderly people, those with learning or physical disabilities and people with mental health issues are classed as vulnerable adults.

County councillor Felicity Hindson, executive member for adult social care, said: “These figures do show a dramatic increase in suspected cases of abuse but we would rather people reported their concerns to us so that allegations can be fully investigated and, in cases where evidence of abuse is found, vulnerable adults are given the protection they need.”

“Adult abuse can happen to anyone, anywhere and the responsibility for tackling it lies with all of us.”

County figures show more than half those alleged to have suffered some form of abuse are elderly.

Physical abuse and neglect are the most common followed by stealing, bullying and sexual abuse. As well as occurring in residential care and nursing homes, abuse also happens in victims’ own homes.

The council says a rise in reported neglect is due to strengthening of legislation and wider recognition of care that falls belowset standards.

Paid carers, health professionals and the police reported most of the cases but there was a rise in self-referrals and complaints from relatives and neighbours.

Figures in the annual report to Hampshire Safeguarding Adults Board show the police cautioned or prosecuted 17 people for adult abuse in the last year. Three people were convicted of stealing and court action was taken to protect the finances of 20 individuals.

Chris Perry, chief executive of Age Concern Hampshire, said: “Older people for a variety of reasons are very vulnerable to abuse and neglect, particularly those suffering from Alzheimer’s and dementia. The figures have probably gone up because the county council is better at detecting it and the public at large is better at reporting it.

But the bad thing is that it is happening.”

■ To report any concerns telephone 0845 6035630 or out-of-hours 0845 6004555.