Bolton recorded an increase in reports of abuse against vulnerable adults.

NHS Digital figures show 3,265 concerns of abuse were made about adults with care and support needs in Bolton in the year to March.

This was up from 2,770 in 2020-21.

Age UK said some older people across England are being let down by a care system that has failed to protect them from abuse and neglect.

Across England, 541,535 abuse concerns were raised last year – an increase of 9 per cent on the year before.

However, one local authority was unable to submit data in 2021/22 so this figure is an estimate.

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.

Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council completed 790 such enquiries in 2021/22 – down from 1,060 in 2020/21.

Raised in 28 per cent of enquiries, neglect and acts of omission was the most frequently mentioned reason last year.

Bolton council carried out a higher than normal number of Section 42 enquiries in 20/21 because of COVID lockdowns, so the return to 790 in 21/22 is more in line with where they were pre-pandemic.

Similarly, the council said the increase in people reporting concerns of abuse in 21/22 is most likely due to COVID restrictions lifting and people seeing and recognising more safeguarding concerns.

A spokesperson for Bolton Council said: “Throughout the national and local lockdowns, we saw a rise in broader welfare calls which resulted in increased numbers of Section 42 safeguarding enquires.

“Following the ease of restrictions this has resulted in a return to similar numbers of calls which we received pre-pandemic.

“The health and wellbeing of vulnerable adults remains our highest priority and appropriate action is always taken whenever safeguarding concerns are reported.”

Age UK said the "distressing" figures show that some older people in care are not being treated with respect or protected from abuse and neglect.

Charity Director Caroline Abrahams said: “Any abuse of older people is intolerable and there must be zero tolerance of any abuse whether through neglect, financial manipulation or physical or mental cruelty.

"These cases concern some of the most vulnerable members of our society, many of whom feel that they have no one to turn to for help.

"Care workers must adhere to the strict rules and procedures which are devised to help prevent problems such as abuse, poor management and neglect."

She added that staff shortages might be leaving some settings ill-equipped to provide safe care, with record vacancy rates for manager roles in care homes particularly worrying.

Nationwide, the most common type of risk in Section 42 enquiries – which typically involve people aged 85 and over – was also neglect and acts of omission, which accounted for 31 per cent of risks.

The person's own home was the most common location of the risk – in just under half of all enquiries.

The Department of Health and Social Care said abuse of any kind is abhorrent and comprehensive inspections aim to ensure it is caught.

A spokesman for the Department of Health and Social Care said: "The Government has made sure that across the country, the police, councils and NHS are working together to help protect vulnerable adults from abuse or other types of exploitation.

“Local authorities have a duty under the Care Act to carry out safeguarding enquiries where concerns have been raised and, following this, to take appropriate action to ensure that people are as safe as possible.”