The latest figures on the number of sexual offences against children recorded by police in greater London have seen a staggering 18 per cent increase.
Figures obtained from the Metropolitan Police show they rose from 2,991 in 2012-2013, to 3,523 in 2013-2014. And last year, 470 calls received by the NSPCC’s helpline from people across greater London about sexual abuse were so serious that they were referred on immediately to the police or children’s services.
The figures are revealed today as the NSPCC launches its third state of the nation annual report, How safe are our children? at the charity’s annual conference in London. The report compiles the most robust and up-to-date child protection data that exists across each of the four nations in the UK.
It’s not clear why the number of offences has risen. Greater awareness may be giving more victims the courage to come forward, including those reporting historical cases, or police forces have improved their recording methods. However it does mean that more children are speaking out, only to find little support to help them recover from abuse.
