THERE has been a significant rise in the number of child sex offices recorded by West Mercia Police it has revealed.

The NSPCC has reported the rise after obtaining the figures through a freedom of information request to the force.

A total of 1,786 offences, which include rape, sexual assault and grooming, were recorded by West Mercia Police in 2016/17, up 14 per cent from 1,569 the year before. Of the crimes 512 were against children aged 10 and under, while 137 of these crimes were perpetrated against children four and under.

The charity say 213 offences recorded were flagged as having an online element - up 87 per cent from 114 in the previous year. But the NSPCC stresses the total number of sex offences committed against children is unknown, as children don’t come forward and report incidents out of fear or embarrassment, or as they don't even realise they have been abused.

The NSPCC is now calling for police to have more resources to ensure high quality training and support is available and to help raise awareness of safeguarding procedures.

Peter Wanless, NSPCC’s chief executive, said: “This dramatic rise is extremely concerning and shows just how extensive child sexual abuse is. These new figures suggest the police are making real progress.

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

Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion said “Tackling child sexual exploitation remains a top priority for me, and the force.

"I am committed to ensuring the full weight of the law is brought down on the offenders who perpetrate this horrific crime.

"I have formally held the chief constable to account several times on this issue, and invested in additional resources to take a proactive approach to prevention and detection - this includes specialist training, further analysis, a focus on tackling emerging threats around cyber crime and my commitment to protecting neighbourhood policing."

"Through grant funding projects, I am putting victims first. I will continue to work with partners to ensure a joined up approach.”

Detective Superintendent Richard Long, head of vulnerability and safeguarding for West Mercia Police said: “People of all ages are feeling more empowered and confident than ever before to report such incidents, which include historical sex offences. That confidence is likely to be down to many factors including high profile cases in the media, a greater-than-ever number of ways to report sexual crimes, and relentless campaigning done by organisations such as the NSPCC. The police are doing great work to boost that confidence too.

“Our officers receive thorough, ongoing training to ensure they know how to properly deal with reports of sexual abuse. We also collaborate more and more with partners who support victims of sexual abuse through the investigative process.”

To report an incident of child sex abuse call police on 101, or 999 in an emergency.