Baby P case 'led to verbal abuse'

Social workers in Gloucestershire say public anger against them has risen since the case of Baby P.

Penny Humphries, a social worker in the Forest of Dean, said: "We expect some people to be unhappy with our service but this has given people an excuse."

The council confirmed there had been a number of incidents where social workers had been verbally abused.

The child known as Baby P died in London in 2007 despite being on Haringey Council's "at-risk" register.

Jo Davidson, of Gloucestershire County Council, said: "Since the Baby P situation, where there has been a very close focus on the role that social workers played in that tragic death, we have seen a very small number of incidents - but incidents nonetheless.

"Our social workers have been abused in the street or at people's doorways.

"That's very unfair because the social workers are doing their job, which is making sure that young people in Gloucestershire are safe."

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