A council department is set to overspend by millions as it deals with a surge in child protection cases after the Baby P scandal.

Sutton Council has overseen a 20 per cent increase in the number of children taken in to care in the past year, and a third more children being given child protection plans.

Coun Dave Callaghan, the council's spokesman on young people, said the increased demand could be linked to a rise in reports from the public about child protection issues sparked by increased public awareness after the violent death of child abuse victim Peter Connelly in Haringey.

The town hall predicts increasing staffing to cope with the rising number of cases will cost £400,000 this financial year, while extra legal fees, and the cost of secure placements for children will push the total overspend by the children, young people and learning services department to £2.7m.

It said the bill for looked after children could rise still further if demand continues to grow.

Councillor Dave Callaghan, council spokesman on young people, said regardless of finacial pressures, safety and well being of children would always be the highest priority.

He added: “Of course we take every step possible to protect vulnerable children including those who experience domestic violence."

New figures show - 7391 Sutton children - one in six in the borough - live in violent homes.

Coun Callaghan said the rise in child protection cases could be down to many different factors including a successful working relationship between the council and the police, schools and health service to better identify those at risk.