A CHILDREN’S charity is urging parents to think carefully before leaving youngsters home alone during the summer holidays.

Data from the NSPCC’s helpline revealed hundreds of children in the UK have been left unattended between July and September last year, with flags raised by worried adults via email and telephone.

In Swindon two cases were deemed so serious they were referred to social services between 2013 and 2016 (July to September).

In Wiltshire, 12 referrals were recorded.

Catherine Albert, from the NSPCC Swindon branch, based in Little London Court, said parents should talk with children and find out how comfortable they are before they make a decision on whether they can be left alone.

“Young children, toddlers and babies should never be left alone,” she said, “but with older children parents should always speak with their child to find out how they feel about potentially being left home alone.

“It’s down to each individual child, parents should decide if a child is mature enough and could cope with being left at home on their own. Ask them their opinion, if they know what to do in an emergency, elicit their ideas and their feelings.

“Childcare during the summer holidays is always an issue and we completely appreciate how difficult it can be for parents. Even if it’s talking with other mums in the school playground or having a neighbour that can check in, every bit helps.

“Children under the age of 12 should not be left home alone and those under the age of 16 should not be left overnight.”

While the law does not give a minimum age to leave children alone at home it is against the law if it puts them at risk.

Last month a Swindon mother was sentenced to a community order after she got drunk and left her three young children alone in the house.

The six, four and one-year-old were later found screaming and crying in their back garden and the mother was convicted of abandonment.

Nationally, NSPCC’s helpline received 453 calls and emails between July and September last year from adults concerned about children left unattended. More than three quarters (366) were were passed to police or social services.

A Swindon Borough Council spokesman said: “The law does not state an appropriate age for leaving children at home unattended.

“However every child is different and it is important at any time of the year for parents to make their own informed decisions about leaving their children at home alone for any period while considering if doing so would put their children at risk.

“We, like many other councils, receive referrals on a range of issues including about children being left alone at home.

“We assess each case individually before deciding what course of action to take.”

If you are concerned about a child’s welfare call the NSPCC helpline on 0800 800 5000 or text 88858