People in Bradford wait at least a month to report child abuse, figures released by the NSPCC today show.

In the last six months 784 people in Yorkshire and the Humber have contacted the charity with concerns so serious they warranted immediate action – 87 of which were from Bradford.

Of the callers from the county, 28.9 per cent had waited at least a month with an additional 28.1 per cent waiting more than six.

The figures have been released as the charity today begins a new campaign – ‘Don’t wait until you’re certain’ – which urges the public not to ignore any niggling doubt about a child’s safety.

Councillor Ralph Berry, Bradford Council’s executive member for children service and education, said he supported the campaign.

He said: “There’s always been an issue with people feeling reluctant, maybe for fear of being identified, but the campaign is quite correct – the sooner we are able to intervene and assess, the sooner we can actually act to protect or provide support.”

The figures come as a new viral campaign, made by Skins and Billy Elliot director Amanda Boyle, has also begun in partnership with parents’ website Netmums.

The viral, which carries a serious message, will be on YouTube, Netmums, Twitter and Facebook, where supporters will be able to donate their Facebook status to the campaign for a week.

The NSPCC will also be holding a 12-hour ‘day in the life of the helpline’ event on Twitter, with live updates and interviews from 8am to 8pm.

In 2011, a record number of 45,000 people across the UK contacted the NSPCC. A caller from Yorkshire called the helpline after weeks of worrying about a child.

Psychologist Dr Linda Papadopoulous said: “We know that one in five children experience severe maltreatment at some point in their childhood.

“The impact of abuse can be profound, and the longer it continues the greater the risk. This new figures highlight the reality that children are suffering because adults are waiting too long to report their concerns.”