REPORTS of alleged abuse of vulnerable adults in Hampshire have nearly tripled over the past three years, the latest figures show.

The number of cases has soared from 736 in 2008 to 2,029 in 2010 – up 175 per cent.

Age Concern Hampshire has voiced its concern that at the same time Government spending cuts make it more difficult for social services to tackle the problem.

Just under a third of cases involve allegations of neglect and a similar proportion physical abuse, such as hitting.

Some 19 per cent of cases feature theft, ten per cent were psychological – such as bullying – and six per cent sexual abuse.

Relatives and care workers were most often blamed says the county council report. In about four out of ten cases the abuse was alleged to have happened in the individual’s home and just over a third in residential and nursing homes.

About half the cases involve an elderly person, while just over a quarter relate to people with learning disabilities.

A vulnerable adult is generally seen as someone aged 18 and over who needs community care services because of disability, age or illness and who may be unable to protect themselves against significant harm or exploitation.

The 2,029 cases relate to reports of abuse referred to the council’s adult safeguarding teams between April 2010 and March 2011. The council said of the 1,337 investigations finished, four out of ten led to increased monitoring of vulnerable adults, for example by social workers.

Police action was taken in only 46 cases.

Other outcomes included the council providing information and advice, increased community services, moving individuals to different care homes and managing their finances.

Councillor Felicity Hindson, executive member for adult services, said suspected physical abuse may not be deliberate acts of violence but poor care standards.

Chris Perry, chief executive of Age Concern Hampshire, said the rise in reported cases reflected a greater awareness and not necessarily a real increase.

In Hampshire, the county axed £24.4m from the adult social services budget and cut 400 full-time equivalent jobs, including day centre staff, care workers and occupational therapists.

It also introduced charges for day centres providing respite for carers, previously free, and hiked home care charges.

Mr Perry said: “Elderly people are a very vulnerable group, especially those with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.

“It can be very frustrating for relatives and carers looking after them and abuse can sometimes happen because of that.

“They don’t need prosecuting but greater help and support to take the strain of them. We really need to look at the impact these cuts are having on the most vulnerable members of society.”

• To report a case of suspected adult abuse call 0845 603 5630.