This represents a significant increase over the number of reported incidents of child neglect and children in need of care for the period July to August, last year. For that period the Office of the Children's Registry recorded 139 incidents of child neglect and 235 cases of children in need of care and protection.

Against the background of the spike in these reported incidents, the registry is urging parents not to leave their children at home unsupervised, particularly during the summer.

Children's registrar, Carla Francis-Edie, indicated that while the economic challenges might prevent parents from sending their children to summer school or to the nursery, it was unacceptable for children to be left at home without proper supervision.

"This often leads to other issues, for example, it reduces the level of safety and security of these children and also encourages them to do things they would not have done if they were being adequately supervised," said Francis-Edie.

The registry, established in 2007 under the Child Care and Protection Act, receives reports of children who have been abused. It then submits a report to the Child Development Agency and the Office of the Children's Advocate which conduct investigations into the allegations.