Vulnerable adult abuse reports rise in Cumbria
There has been an increase in the number of reports of vulnerable adults being abused in Cumbria.
In 2010-11 there were 506 reported incidents, up 34% on the previous year.
Cumbria Safeguarding Adults Board said the rise was due to its work on raising awareness and encouraging people to report any concerns.
The most common form of abuse was physical (46% of reported cases), followed by financial abuse (20%), and neglect (13%).
Mike Evans, independent chairman of the board, said: "There's a considerable amount of work being carried out across Cumbria to bring this issue out into the open, and ultimately reduce the number of cases of abuse as we make it harder for would-be abusers."