There were 2,440 child sex offences recorded by Thames Valley Police last year - an average of six a day, shocking new figures have revealed. 

New figures obtained by children's charity the NSPCC via a Freedom of Information (FoI) request to police across the UK found officers recorded crimes including rape, sexual assault and grooming – with 701 offences recorded against children aged ten and under across the Thames Valley.

The previous year, 2015/16, saw 2,448 child sex offences recorded by Thames Valley Police.

Julie Hilton, NSPCC schools service manager for the East of England, said: “These figures are extremely concerning and show just how extensive child sexual abuse is.

“That’s why we must empower children to recognise abuse and know how to report it from an early age so they can get help and support.

“This is exactly what our Speak Out. Stay Safe volunteers are doing in schools across the Thames Valley.

"In an age-appropriate way we are giving children as young as five the tools to stay safe from all forms of abuse and encouraging them to talk to a trusted adult or Childline about anything that makes them feel uncomfortable.”

Across the UK, a record 64,667 child sex offences were recorded by UK police in 2016/17, up 15 per cent on the previous year with a crime recorded on average every eight minutes.

One in ten of those offences were flagged as having an online element – a 59 per cent increase on the previous year.

The NSPCC says the increase could be down to a number of factors, including police forces improving recording methods, survivors feeling more confident in disclosing abuse following high-profile cases and online grromers becoming a "significant" problem. 

The charity is now calling on the Government to direct more resources to make sure high-quality training and support is offered to front line police officers to help tackle child sex offences, especially online. 

Peter Wanless, NSPCC chief executive, said: “These abhorrent crimes can shatter a child’s life, leaving them to feel humiliated, depressed, or even suicidal.

"That is why it is crucial every single child who has endured abuse and needs support must get timely, thorough help so they can learn to rebuild their lives.

“These new figures suggest the police are making real progress in how they investigate sex offences against children.

"To help them tackle the issue going forward, we must ensure the police are equipped to work with other agencies and provide ongoing support and training to officers on the frontline.”