The number of Shropshire youngsters placed on the Child Protection Register has risen “significantly” in the wake of the Baby P scandal.

More calls about possible child abuse cases are being made to social services as a result of heightened public awareness.

At the same time, more frontline workers are being recruited by Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin councils.

The joint child protection systems they have in place with other agencies have been reviewed and strengthened to try to ensure no child “slips through the net” and dies.

Baby P – named last week as Peter Connelly – was only 17 months when he died in Haringey, London, in August 2007.

He had suffered 50 injuries, including fractured ribs and broken back.

Latest figures obtained from Shropshire Council show that at the end of March this year there were 183 children subject to a Child Protection Plan, but by the end of June numbers had risen to 214.

Over the same period Telford & Wrekin Council saw figures increase from 153 to 160. Liz Nicholson, Shropshire Council corporate director for children and young people’s services, said the number of referrals and children subject to a protection plan had risen significantly.

But though more protection plans were being in place, child abuse was not rife across the county.

Mrs Nicholson said there was evidence nationally the Baby P case had led to an increase in the workload of authorities.

Kath Edwards, the council’s assistant director of social care and safeguards, said: “I can’t see the cases decreasing.

“There is the economic climate, drug misuse and increasing social problems which impact on the way children are being care for.”

Councillor Stephen Burrell, Telford & Wrekin Council cabinet member for children and young people, said: “As is the case nationally, the number of children being identified as needing protection and of those coming into care as a result of this, has increased significantly since the media interest in Haringey.”

EXCLUSIVE By Health Correspondent Dave Morris