New analysis by the NSPCC of police recorded crime data reveals the number of crimes with an element of child sexual exploitation in the South West has almost tripled within the last year.
During 2021/22, a total of 3,866 crimes were recorded by Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Devon and Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset Police forces, compared to 1,383 offences in 2020/21*
Childline’s annual report has revealed the service carried out on average 12 counselling sessions every day in 2018/19 with children who have been sexually exploited.
The NSPCC’s round-the-clock service delivered 4,500 counselling sessions – up 16 per cent from the previous year - to children and young people, the youngest aged nine, who were coerced or forced into sexual activity....
