THE country’s biggest charity with a mission to protect children from harm and cruelty said today that local services must take swift action to safeguard those at risk.

The NSPCC, which prides itself on challenging agencies that fail to protect children, commented after the Daily Echo brought this case to its attention.

They spoke in light of the Baby P scandal, when 17- month-old Peter Connelly died from more than 50 injuries he sustained over an eight-month period, while under the watchful eye of social services and health professionals in Haringey, London. His death sparked public and Government outrage and prompted new guidelines for GPs about how to spot child abuse and new measures to try to avert a similar tragedy.

A spokesman for the NSPCC said: “Sadly we know that drink and drugs play a role in many cases of child abuse and neglect. Fortunately most children’s services know this and are alert to the dangers of parental substance misuse.

“Sadly, although we have learned a huge amount from the terrible case of baby Peter Connelly the youngest children in our society are still most at risk. We can all help by reporting any concerns where we see them, but services that work with children must also take swift action.”