WIRRAL has the highest number of older teenagers at risk of child cruelty – including sexual exploitation - in the Northwest.

Figures from The Children’s Society show that 412 16 and 17-year-olds in the borough are “in need”, almost twice the number at risk across the whole of Liverpool.

The statistics were released as part of the charity’s campaign to change the law to protect more than 5,000 vulnerable 16 and 17-year-olds in the Northwest from cruelty.

Legal loopholes make it impossible to prosecute adults for neglect or ill-treatment of 16 and 17-year-olds.

While most English law treats anyone under 18 as a child, the criminal law for child cruelty, which dates back 80 years, only protects children from neglect or ill-treatment until their 16th birthday.

It means children aged 16 and 17 are treated as adults and forced to fend for themselves. Police would find it much harder to prosecute a negligent or abusive parent or guardian of a child in this age group.

But Cllr Tony Smith, Wirral’s cabinet member for children and family services told the Globe assessments of need are undertaken for all children that are referred to children’s services, regardless of their age, including 16 and 17-year-olds.

He added: “We will continue to review our threshold of need models with our partner agencies to ensure we respond appropriately to those most vulnerable and in need of our services.

“We take child sexual exploitation very seriously and consider carefully all new information as it comes to light. We have been working closely with the partners of Wirral Safeguarding Children’s Board and neighbouring Merseyside and Cheshire authorities to improve protocols for identifying victims or children at risk of child sexual exploitation.”

Wirral Council has commissioned Barnado’s to deliver awareness training to care providers, foster carers, health, youth workers and schools, as well as the police and council staff who work with vulnerable young people.

Last year, according to official figures, 5,440 children aged 16 or 17 in the Northwest were deemed by social services to be at “in need”, and therefore at greater risk of abuse and neglect.

Across England the total reached 42,260. It is this group – some of the most vulnerable teenagers in the country – who would stand to gain most from a change in the law.

The Children’s Society is asking MPs to close this loophole by extending protections against child cruelty to this age group when it debates the Serious Crime Bill early in the New Year.

The move would involve changing the outdated Children and Young Persons Act 1933 to increase the age at which a child can be a victim of cruelty from 15 to 17, to bring criminal law in line with the rest of child protection legislation and welfare legislation for the first time and offering protection to all children.

Anyone who has concerns about the wellbeing of any child or young person should call the council’s central advice and duty team on 0151 606 2008 to speak to a social worker.

If anyone believes a child is being harmed or at real risk of harm, they should call 999.