REPORTS to police of sexual offences against children in Wiltshire have risen by 65 per cent in a year according to recent statistics.

A study by the NSPCC has shown the number of calls reporting sexual offences has risen to 439 calls to Wiltshire Police in 2013 to 2014 – up from 266 in 2012 to 2013.

According to the statistics the number of reported offences against girls is more than five times higher than boys.

In response to an NSPCC Freedom of Information request to the Wiltshire force, the figures showed the number of offences committed against girls, which was 376, was more than five times the 63 against boys.

The shocking statistics also revealed that 56 of the victims were children aged five and under.

The children’s charity also received more than 110 calls from youngsters, with most being so serious that they had to be passed on to other agencies.

These figures follow a national trend which shows there has been an overall increase in the number of reported cases against youngsters.

Superintendent Craig Holden, head of Wiltshire Police’s Child Sexual Exploitation unit, said: “I welcome the NSPCC report.

"Any evidence to help highlight the scale of abuse in Wiltshire and across the rest of the UK has to be good.

"I believe the increase in offences in Wiltshire is linked to the way we now record these crimes. They have improved in line with the national recording guidelines and we have worked hard to ensure all sexual offences are properly recorded.

“Another reason for the increase in figures is the rise in media coverage on child abuse. This is bound to give victims the confidence to come forward and report recent and historical offences.

“Child sexual abuse cases will always be one of our priorities, whether they are current or historical.

The NSPCC said the figures were concerning and were possibly just the tip of the iceberg.

Peter Wanless, chief executive officer of the charity, said: “These figures are disturbing and clearly illustrate child sexual abuse is a continuing and widespread problem that needs urgent action.

“But we know this is still only a fraction of the true number of victims because some endure an agonising wait of many years before telling anyone and others never reveal what has happened to them.”