Parents are being urged to think carefully before leaving their children home alone during the summer holidays.

The NSPCC says youngsters are more likely to be left on their own during the long school break as parents face increasing childcare pressures.

Between July and September last year the charity's helpline received 453 calls and emails from people concerned about youngsters being left unattended - equivalent to five a day.

Of these, more than three in four - 366 - were deemed serious enough to be passed to police or social services.

The law does not specify an age at which parents can leave children alone, but those who do can be arrested and prosecuted for cruelty and neglect if it places them at risk.

Colin Peak, London and south east regional head of service for the NSPCC, said: “Leaving your child home alone can be a difficult decision as children mature at different ages – there is no ‘one size fits all’ answer.

"But it could put them at greater risk of accident or injury.

"So I would urge parents to use their common sense when deciding if their child could cope.

"They should also ask them how they feel about being left alone and talk to them about what to do in an emergency.

"Parents are best placed to know what is right for their child so it vital there is flexibility for them to decide.”

The NSPCC is also warning parents about leaving children in cars.

It comes after a woman in Watford left three children locked in a car for more than 40 minutes on the hottest day of the year this week.

A NSPCC spokesman said: "When left alone in a vehicle, young children can very quickly start to get anxious and distressed and there are clear added dangers when temperatures are extremely hot, as has been the case this week.

"We always advise parents and carers never to leave babies, toddlers and very young children alone - whether in a vehicle or at home."

The NSPCC's advice:

  • Babies, toddlers and very young children should never be left alone
  • Children under the age of 12 are rarely mature enough to cope in an emergency and should not be left at home alone for a long period of time
  • Children under the age of 16 should not be left alone overnight
  • Parents and carers can be prosecuted for neglect if it is judged that they placed a child at risk by leaving them at home alone
  • A child should never be left at home alone if they do not feel comfortable with this, regardless of their age
  • If a child has additional needs, these should be considered when leaving them at home alone or with an older sibling
  • When leaving a younger child with an older sibling think about what may happen if they were to have a falling out - would they both be safe?