Almost 100,000 elderly and vulnerable people reported abuse last year.

An NHS Information Centre report found that of 94,500 such incidents logged last year, 39,300 cases – or 42% – were said to have taken place in the alleged victim’s home.

A further 35% occurred in care homes, the report said.

The data comes from cases of abuse reported to English councils’ adult safeguarding teams between April 2010 and March 2011.

The victims are vulnerable adults who can be unable to take care of themselves or need social care because of mental or other disabilities.

A quarter of the alleged incidents were perpetrated by a family member, including the victim’s partner. Social workers were alleged to have carried out 29% of the abuse.

More than one in 10 (13%) of the alleged abusers were other vulnerable adults while 12% were either a neighbour, friend, stranger, volunteer or other professional.

More than a third (36%) of the incidents involved physical abuse. Neglect (28%) and so-called financial abuse (24%), including fraud and theft, were also commonly involved in the incidents.

Emotional or physical abuse accounted for 19% of cases while 12% involved sexual, discriminatory or institutional abuse.

Some of the cases involved more than one type of abuse.

By the end of the financial year, 32% of the reports of abuse were substantiated, with 28% not determined or inconclusive and 31% not substantiated.

A further 9% of reports were partially substantiated.

Cases are logged as substantiated when they are proved and often lead to remedial action by the council or police.

About half (49%) of the adults involved had a physical disability while 23% had a mental health issue and 21% had a learning disability.

The findings are provisional and the final figures will be published in March next year. The NHS Information Centre is still waiting for Nottingham City Council to return its data.

Tim Straughan, the centre’s chief executive, said: “Although this report is provisional, it shines a light on what is clearly an emotive subject involving some of the most vulnerable people in society.

“This information is vital for councils, social care and health professionals to consider their own figures and examine the reasons behind them.

“The collection also allows people to see how they relate to the national and regional picture.

“For all these reasons, it is vital that all councils submit and validate their data to what is now a mandatory return to ensure that the overall picture is full and accurate.”

The Government’s care services minister Paul Burstow said: “These figures are an absolute scandal. No one should have to put up with abuse.

“This is the first publication of mandatory data of this kind. It demonstrates our total commitment to shining a light on poor care.

“It is why we announced hundreds more unannounced inspections of adult care will be taking place and we will also be making it mandatory to have local boards, involving police and other professionals, in place to tackle abuse.”

He added: “The tough new measures this Government is introducing will help root out and tackle abuse wherever it exists.”