60 child sex offences every day

The number of cases where children became victims of sex offences averaged 60 for every day of last year.

Police figures revealed under the Freedom of Information Act showed more than 21,000 child sex offences took place during 2009.

This is the second year running that the NSPCC has collated details from all 43 police forces in England and Wales.

Child victims younger than ten years of age numbered 3,035, Those of five years and younger totalled 1,000 and 17,091 were committed against children aged 10 – 17.

Girls were six times more likely to be a victim than boys and crimes included sex, rape, gross indecency and incest.

NSPCC director of strategy and development Phillip Noyes said: “We know that as most abuse goes unreported, such figures can only ever give an indication of the true extent of the problem. Many children do not speak out about the sexual abuse they have suffered because they are scared they will not be believed, but help is always available to them.”

The 24-hour free, confidential ChildLine helpline number is:0800 1111

Children and young people can also log on to www.childline.org.uk for help and advice.