Sexual offences against children in Dorset have reached an all-time high with roughly two reported every single day, figures reveal.

Data obtained by the NSPCC shows Dorset Police recorded 768 offences against a child during 2018/19.

It is the highest number number of offences recorded in the county in five years.

In 2014/15, 332 sex offences against children were reported in Dorset, rising to 422 the following year but falling again to 354 in 2016/17.

However in 2017/18, the number soared to 628 recorded offences in Dorset.

In the south west, more than 5,500 sexual offences against a child were recorded by police in 2018/19 and nationally, 76,204 crimes against children were reported in the same year - an average of one every seven minutes.

The number of children being sexually abused has steadily increased in the south west over the last five years, with figures showing a 44 per cent combined increase of offences recorded by all police forces across the region.

Analysis of national data also reveals that where age of victim was provided, 16,773 offences were recorded against children aged ten and under, with 341 of the offences against babies under the age of one.

Children who suffered sexual abuse will often need extensive support but overstretched services are failing to keep pace with demand, the NSPCC says, and the charity is now calling for a radical reshaping of how this support is delivered across the country.

Peter Wanless, NSPCC CEO, said: "Record numbers of child sexual offences means we are facing a nationwide crisis in the help available for tens of thousands of children.

"These children are bravely disclosing what happened to them but in too many cases there is not enough timely, joined up and child-friendly support. Instead they are shunted from overstretched service to service.

"We need a radical rethink in the way we help these young people, otherwise they could struggle for the rest of their lives with long term, deep seated trauma."

The NSPCC is calling for the provision of specialised services around the country, with an emphasis on early joined up support from police, local NHS services, children’s services and advocacy for children who have experienced sexual abuse, offered in child-friendly spaces.

Dorset Police has “strengthened its response” to deal with sexual offences against children.

Detective Superintendent Gemma Morris, of Dorset Police, said the increase in reports is in line with the national rise of offences.

She said: “We believe it is due to a number of factors including changes to the way we record the information.

“There has also been an increase in confidence in victims reporting such crimes to police, including non-recent sexual offences. High profile national investigations continue to raise awareness in sexual offences against children.

“The Force has continued to strengthen its response and resource capability to deal with sexual offences against children, with more officers in dedicated teams such as in Child Sexual Exploitation, Child Abuse Investigation Team and Paedophile Online Investigation Team. Officers and staff receive specific training to ensure an awareness and understanding of these often complex crimes, which affect some of the most vulnerable people in our communities.”

“Dorset Police also supports multi-agency efforts toward education and awareness campaigns, encouraging victims and anyone with information about those types of offences to come forward and access support.

“The Force refers a number of victims to STARS (Sexual Trauma and Recovery Service), a pan-Dorset charity that offers one-to-one support, free of charge, for anyone of any age or gender who lives, works or studies in Dorset and has experienced any form of sexual violence in their lives.

“Dorset Police is a member of the Local Safeguarding Children’s Boards where the response to child sexual abuse and assaults are a board priority. Together with partner agencies the Force is committed to safeguarding children and bringing offenders to justice.”