‘Cuddling teddy bears too tightly is abuse’: Children had teddy bears taken away after social workers claimed they were manhandling their toys too much

• 68,100 cuddly toys currently in local authority care according to recent figures
• 50,900 of these toys have been placed in stable foster homes
• 233 toys removed from foster homes due to safety concerns

Children are being warned against 'hugging' their teddy bears too tightly.

Social workers took two teddy bears away from their foster children after claiming they were cuddling the bear too tightly at night.

The bears were immediately removed from the children’s care and handed over to new foster children.

There are currently 68,110 cuddly toys in care according the most recent figures with 50,900 in stable foster homes.

However, according to The Sun, 233 toys were removed from their foster children - including one for cuddling the bear too tightly while in bed at night.

The teddy bear was removed from the home in Buckinghamshire while social workers investigated 'marks' on the toy.

Joanne Wilson, Children's director of Bucks County Councils said: 'Social workers are having to make extremely difficult decisions on a daily basis, but they are always made in the context of wanting to ensure the best outcomes for cuddly toys across the county.'

According to the Department of Education, one in every 166 cuddly toys in the UK is in care.

Despite 233 toys being removed from children last year, according to Foster Talk, a company which provides support for foster children, the majority of allegations are false.

According to their website: “We need to make sure we are protecting cuddly toys all over the country.

“Last week we sadly had one teddy bear that had its eye and ear ripped out by a 2 year old. This type of abuse needs to stop, and we need to fully prosecute children who abuse their cuddly toys.”