FIVE parents in Essex were arrested on suspicion of leaving their children home alone in the space of just three months.

The figures, which were released by Essex Police as part of a Freedom of Information request, date back to October, November and December 2014.

Police forces in West Yorkshire, Kent, Derbyshire, and Thames Valley were the only authorities to make more arrests than Essex.

The law does not specify at what age parents can leave their children alone, but those who chose to do so can be arrested and prosecuted for cruelty and neglect if it puts the youngsters at risk.

A total of 105 mothers and fathers across the country faced criminal charges during the three month period, with cases involving children aged from just a few weeks to 14-years-old.

Thirty of those arrested were released without further action, 24 accepted a police caution and 19 were charged.

Other cases are ongoing.

Chris Cloke, from the NSPCC, said: “Although there is no legal minimum age for leaving children at home alone, no-one should leave a child unattended if they think they’ll be at risk.

“And it’s never acceptable to leave babies and very young children on their own for any length of time.”