MORE than 3,000 safeguarding concerns were flagged up about vulnerable adults in Bradford during the first year of the coronavirus pandemic, figures show.

Age UK said abuse and neglect may have thrived behind closed doors throughout periods of lockdown, contributing to a stark national rise in the number of concerns flagged up with councils between April 2020 and March this year.

But NHS Digital figures show the number of concerns about adults with care and support needs in Bradford fell during the period to 3,860 down from the 4,035 the year before – a 4% drop.

Nationally, nearly 500,000 safeguarding concerns were raised that year, up 5% from 2019-20, with the very elderly – those aged over 85 – most likely to be the subject.

Caroline Abrahams, from Age UK, said the abuse of older people was a serious concern, adding: “Hundreds of thousands of older people are being affected a year and we expect the pandemic to have made things worse.

“That’s because of the heightened stress across our society and because abuse and neglect tend to thrive behind closed doors, of which there have been more than usual these last 18 months or so.”

If councils believe a vulnerable adult is experiencing or is at risk of abuse or neglect, they must carry out a Section 42 enquiry to determine whether action should be taken.

Around 1,315 such enquiries were launched in Bradford during the year to March – fewer than the 1,725 that commenced in 2019-20.

Roughly 1,165 such investigations concluded in 2020-21, with the council finding that the highest proportion of allegations in the area were linked to physical abuse.

The highest number of incidents took place in a person’s own home with the source of risk in Bradford most often someone unknown to the individual.

Bradford’s figures could be higher as the authority could not provide all data relating to completed Section 42 enquiries for this period.

Across England, where most incidents were likely to happen at home or in residential care, allegations of neglect, physical, psychological or financial abuse were at the centre of most investigations.

In Bradford, there were 170 enquiries involving neglect or acts of omission, 450 concerning physical abuse, 100 about psychological abuse and 125 investigations into financial abuse.

According to the figures – which are rounded to the nearest five – there were more than 9,000 cases linked to sexual abuse or exploitation investigated nationally.

Kate Terroni, chief inspector for adult social care at the Care Quality Commission, independent regulator of health and social care in England, described the latest figures as concerning but said providers had gone above and beyond to provide high quality care during the pandemic.

She added: “However, where concerns are brought to our attention we will not hesitate to act. Where we find people are at risk we will not hesitate to take further regulatory action to ensure people’s safety and human rights are upheld.”

Cllr Sarah Ferriby, Executive Member for Healthy People and Places, said: “This has been an exceptionally difficult time for many people across the district. The services that support people with health and social care needs, as well as families, friends and neighbours, have gone to extraordinary lengths to keep people safe during the pandemic. We’ve been supporting our care homes and care staff throughout the pandemic and I’m grateful to our care workers who have gone above and beyond. Where safeguarding concerns are raised, we will always act.

“If you have any concerns about any adult who you feel is experiencing abuse or neglect, please contact 01274 431077 to speak to a member of our team for advice and guidance. If you believe an adult or child is in immediate danger, you should contact the police by dialling 999 for urgent assistance.”