More than 600 sexual offences committed by U18s in Humberside over past 3 years, NSPCC figures show

More than 600 under 18s have committed sexual offences in the last three years, new figures show.

Statistics obtained by the NSPCC reveal that in the last three years 654 offences were recorded by Humberside Police where the perpetrator was under 18.

The alleged crimes included rape, and other serious sexual assaults which were reported to Humberside Police between 2009/10 and 2011/12.

Over 93% of the 595 offenders were boys.

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Claire Lilley, policy advisor at the NSPCC said:  "Any incidents like these are a real cause for concern and these figures should be ringing alarm bells with the authorities that this is a problem that needs to be tackled urgently."In some cases older children are attacking younger children, in other cases it's sexual violence within a teenage relationship.

"Whilst more research needs to be done on this problem, we know that technology and easy access to sexual material is warping young people's view of what is 'normal' or acceptable behaviour.

"We are treating an increasing number of children who have carried out online grooming, harassment in chatrooms and 'sexting'.

"Children who are sexually abusive have often been victims of abuse, harm and trauma themselves.

"Exposure to this can make them think sexually abusing someone or being sexually violent is ok.

"But evidence shows that most young people who receive behaviour changing treatment early on, such as that offered by the NSPCC, will not continue to sexually abuse others or grow into adult offenders.

"If we are to tackle this growing problem and protect young victims, more needs to be done to identify and treat children at risk of sexually offending.

"And we must do more to shield young people from an increasingly sexualised society."

The charity obtained the figures through a Freedom of Information request.

Across England and Wales over 5,000 offences of under -18s committing child sexual abuse were reported to the police in the last three years .

However, the charity is warning the true figure will be even higher - with only 34 of the 43 forces responding to the FoI with relevant data.From the 34 that did supply information, a total of 5,028 offences were recorded where the perpetrator was under 18. Nearly all – 98% - of the 4,562 offenders were boys.

Where the relationship was recorded at least three out of five of the victims knew the abuser.

More than one-third of the offences were said to have been committed by a family friend or acquaintance and one in five by family members.These findings follow a report by probation inspectors last month which found that police, social workers and teachers were missing the warning signs that a child may sexually offend.