Rise In Sexual Offences Against Children

There has been a big rise in sexual offences against children in Leicestershire and Northamptonshire.

Police data compiled by the NSPCC show there have been 1,232 recorded assaults in Leicestershire in the past 12 months – three times the number five years ago, while in Northamptonshire officers have dealt with 1,246 complaints, a rise from 668 in 2014.

Across the UK the number has reached an all-time high, with 76,000 recorded assaults – an average of one every seven minutes.

Police say the rise is down to increased and awareness and reporting.