Shocking figures released today show 90 children were accused of abusing other children in Kent over the last two years.

Most disturbing was the youngest alleged offender in the county was aged just nine - too young to face prosecution.

And the youngest alleged victim was aged just three.

The figures have been obtained by the NSPCC, and show that more than 8,000 under 18s in England and Wales as a whole were accused of sexual offences against other children in the last two years.

In Kent, 90 under-18s were accused of sexual offences against other children in that timescale.

Most victims knew their alleged abuser and some of the most common crimes were teenage boys abusing female friends.

Whilst most abusers were boys there was a small proportion of girl abusers, as well as both male and female victims.

Crimes nationally included serious sexual assaults, rape, and obscene publication offences.

Up to two thirds of contact sexual abuse on children is committed by other young people.

Colin Peak, regional head of service for the NSPCC, said it was "deeply concerning that thousands of children are committing sexual offences including serious assaults and rape.

"For very young children, such as those of primary school age or younger, we have to question the environment in which they are growing up in that has led to them behaving in this way.

"Prevention has to be the key and that is recognising warning signs early and taking swift action.

"It could be that they have seen sexual activity that they are just too young to understand and are copying what they’ve seen."

"Easy access to hard core, degrading and often violent videos on the internet is warping young people’s views of what is normal" - Colin Peak

He said for many older children pornography was now part of life.

He added: "Easy access to hard core, degrading and often violent videos on the internet is warping young people’s views of what is normal or acceptable behaviour.

"It is also feeding into ‘sexting’ where teenagers are creating and distributing their own videos and images that are illegal and have led to prison sentences."

He urged parents to pass on the message that the area covered by their underwear should never be touched by anyone else.

Any adult worried about a child or in need of help and advice can contact theNSPCC’s helpline on 0808 800 5000. Children and young people can contact ChildLine on 0800 1111.