One child under ten is killed every week, shocking crime figures reveal

In a single year, the number of under-tens killed went up 30 per cent from 38 to 49, according to Government figures.

The vast majority are killed by their parents, a relative or the partner of their mother or father.

Victoria Climbie: Died in 2000 after suffering shocking neglect

Experts say many victims have come into contact with social services, or that opportunities were missed to protect them from harm.

The figures from the year to 2006-2007, the latest available, emerged as the mother of Victoria Climbie, who was murdered in 2000, said she was shocked that lessons from the case have still not been learned.

The eight-year-old, who lived with her great-aunt in Haringey, north London, died after various agencies failed to act on signs that she was being abused.

Her mother, Berthe, said the deaths since of other children in similar circumstances show that nothing has changed.

She is demanding a Government review of why professionals are failing children, and said promises made to her had been 'betrayed'.

Tory home affairs spokesman James Brokenshire, who unearthed the homicide statistics, said: 'These figures bear out other reports of an increase in crimes of violence against the very young.

'These are some of the most vulnerable members of our community and it is shocking to think that so many infants, toddlers and young children are losing their lives. It underlines the need for vigilance and early intervention.'

Devastaed: Francis and Berthe Climbie, the parents of Victoria, are shocked at the level of child killings in Britain today

Research has found the most likely killer of a young child is a member of his or her own family.

A study by academics from the University of East Anglia, carried out for the Government, examined more than 100 cases of children dying as a result of abuse. A further 60 were seriously harmed.

Nearly half, 47 per cent, were babies under the age of one year.

The report said that in 83 per cent of cases, the mother or family had contact with social workers before the child died or was injured.

More than half of the children were known to social workers, and one in 12 was on a child protection register.

Social workers were often conned by parents, the report said. 'Apparent or disguised cooperation from parents often prevented or delayed understanding of the severity of harm to the child and cases drifted.

Where parents made it difficult for professionals to see children or engineered the focus away from allegations of harm, children went unseen and unheard.'

Mrs Climbie's intervention came in an interview with the BBC. She said: 'I am still learning that other children are still dying.

'We see the same sort of tragedies here as the things that happened to the little one.'

She criticised local authorities for failing fully to implement recommendations made by Lord Laming, who led a devastating inquiry into Victoria's case.

Claiming she had been 'betrayed', Mrs Climbie added: 'They gave their word, but they did not live up to their responsibilities.'

She found this 'heartbreaking', she said.

Lord Laming said: 'I still don't have full confidence in the abilities of social services to protect children who are known to them.'

David Rogers, chairman of the Local Government Association community and wellbeing board, said: 'The system is not perfect but the lessons learnt from Victoria's death in Lord Laming's report have been widely put into place.

'However, no one who works in child protection is complacent and local government, along with the police, schools and hospitals, will continue to improve and refine the way in which they help children to reduce the chances of another appalling death.'

THE CATALOGUE OF TRAGEDY

The  horrific list of children killed by their parents includes one-month-old Luigi's, who was beaten to death in May 2007.

Social workers and police were accused of disastrous failures after he was left at the mercy of his violent father Duncan Mills, who was convicted of murder at Ipswich Crown Court.

In August 2007, Galtricia Ntsimbi stabbed her twoyearold daughter Trycia Balhous to death after being let down by social workers.

Six days earlier, she was arrested for harassing a shopkeeper and referred to social services - but given no help. Ntsimbi, 23, of Barking, East London, was sent to a mental hospital after admitting manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

Sisters Alisha and Hannah Riaz, ten and three, died in November 2006 in a fire started by their father at their home in Lancashire. Also killed were their sister Sayrah, 16, and mother Caneze. Mohammed Riaz, 49, died in hospital.