The number of reported sexual offences against children in Kent has risen by almost 150% in five years.

The NSPCC has announced the number of reports nationwide has "reached an all-time high", with a sex crime recorded every seven minutes.

Across the county an increase of 144% has been experienced, with the 1,337 reports in 2014/15 jumping to 3,257 offences in 2018/19.

National data shows 16,773 offences were recorded against children aged 10 and under, with 341 of the offences being against babies under the age of one.

In the wake of the findings, the NSPCC is calling for a "radical reshaping" of how support services are provided to victims.

Peter Wanless, NSPCC chief executive officer, 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 children's charity is asking for a collaborative support network consisting of the police, local NHS services, children’s services and advocacy for children who have experienced sexual abuse, offered in child-friendly spaces.

The NSPCC highlighted The Lighthouse in Camden, where all medical, advocacy, social care, police, and therapeutic services are available to children and their families in one place.

This model is delivered through nearby NHS trusts in partnership with the NSPCC’s Letting the Future In (LTFI) service.

LTFI, which is offered in the Gillingham Service Centre, provides therapeutic support for children who have been sexually abused.

Young people aged eight to 17 who used the service showed a significant reduction in psychological and behavioural problems.

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