CHILD abuse should be reported to Health and Social Services or Guernsey Police first – not the NSPCC – to avoid ‘dangerous delays’, an HSSD spokesman has said.

The national children’s charity put out a call this week saying that anyone concerned about young people being mistreated should get in touch with them.

A charity spokesman warned that children were particularly at risk during the summer.

But Guernsey’s HSSD has raised some concerns about the appeal.

‘The HSSD welcomes any opportunity to promote awareness of the need to ensure that children are safeguarded and the NSPCC helpline is one route to obtain information if you have general queries about child welfare,’ said the spokesman. ‘However, the NSPCC no longer maintains a presence in the Bailiwick and so is not able to take direct and immediate action on any concerns.’

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