ALMOST 2,000 safeguarding concerns were raised about vulnerable adults in Herefordshire last year, new figures show.

NHS Digital figures show 1,905 concerns of abuse were made about adults with care and support needs in Herefordshire in the year to March.

The number of abuse concerns rose to 475,560 across England last year, more than double the number there were in 2015-16.

If councils believe an adult with care and support needs is experiencing or is at risk of abuse or neglect, they must carry out a Section 42 enquiry, to determine whether they need to take action.

Herefordshire Council completed 320 such enquiries last year, with 39 percent involving psychological abuse – the most commonly cited issue.

This was followed by neglect or acts of omission, at 33 percent, and physical abuse at 30 percent.

Of the enquiries concluded last year, safeguarding incidents were found to have occurred most often in adults' own homes, on 165 occasions.

There were also 110 in care homes and 45 in uncategorised locations.

Age UK said the figures, which showed the number of concerns raised across England doubling in the last four years, coincided with a period of long-term underfunding from the Government.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said any abuse of people in care is "abhorrent" and has no place in society.

He added: “If an adult with care and support needs appears to be at risk and unable to protect themselves, the local authority has a statutory duty to carry out safeguarding enquiries. Any kind of abuse should immediately be reported and the police involved if necessary.

“Our priority is to ensure everyone gets the care and support they need throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, with £4.6 billion made available so local authorities can address pressures on local services caused by the pandemic, including in adult social care.”