* Up until April 1, 2012, the offence type 'cruelty to children/young persons' was divided into the following separate offences: - Cruelty to and neglect of children - Abandoning a child under the age of two years The figures shown here from 2002/2003 to 2011/2012 are a sum of these two offences, after which they were officially combined and reclassified as 'cruelty to children/young persons'.
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Number of child cruelty offences in England and Wales 2002-2025
In 2024/25, there were * child cruelty offences recorded by the police in England and Wales, an increase when compared with the previous reporting year and a peak for this type of offence.
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Office for National Statistics (UK). (July 24, 2025). Number of cruelty to children/young persons offences recorded in England and Wales from 2002/03 to 2024/25 [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Retrieved August 03, 2026, from /statistics/303514/child-cruelty-abuse-in-england-and-wales-uk-y-on-y/
Office for National Statistics (UK). "Number of cruelty to children/young persons offences recorded in England and Wales from 2002/03 to 2024/25." Chart. July 24, 2025. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Accessed August 03, 2026. /statistics/303514/child-cruelty-abuse-in-england-and-wales-uk-y-on-y/
Office for National Statistics (UK). (2025). Number of cruelty to children/young persons offences recorded in England and Wales from 2002/03 to 2024/25. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc.. Accessed: August 03, 2026. /statistics/303514/child-cruelty-abuse-in-england-and-wales-uk-y-on-y/
Office for National Statistics (UK). "Number of Cruelty to Children/Young Persons Offences Recorded in England and Wales from 2002/03 to 2024/25." ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc., 24 Jul 2025, /statistics/303514/child-cruelty-abuse-in-england-and-wales-uk-y-on-y/
Office for National Statistics (UK), Number of cruelty to children/young persons offences recorded in England and Wales from 2002/03 to 2024/25 ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, /statistics/303514/child-cruelty-abuse-in-england-and-wales-uk-y-on-y/ (last visited August 03, 2026)
Number of cruelty to children/young persons offences recorded in England and Wales from 2002/03 to 2024/25 [Graph], Office for National Statistics (UK), July 24, 2025. [Online]. Available: /statistics/303514/child-cruelty-abuse-in-england-and-wales-uk-y-on-y/
