August 6, 2019 9.38 am This story is over 55 months old

Lincolnshire Police record 182 sexual offences against young children

Data was obtained by a Freedom of Information request

Lincolnshire Police recorded 182 sexual offences against children aged four to eight during 2018/19.

A Freedom of Information request by the NSPCC sent to police forces across the UK revealed that there were at least 7,618 recorded sexual offences against children aged 4-8 nationally.

The NSPCC has also revealed that last year hundreds of children under the age of 11 living across the UK contacted Childline about sexual abuse.

A young girl who contacted Childline said: “I want to know if something that happened to me was wrong. The other day my older brother’s friend kissed me and touched me. He asked me to do other things but I said no and he got angry with me.

“I feel awful and like what happened was all my fault. My friends have all told me that it’s fine but I’m so confused. Is this normal?”

The figures highlight the importance of NSPCC’s Talk Pants campaign, which it has relaunched this week. It equips parents to talk to young children about how to stay safe from sexual abuse.

The charity’s PANTS rules, catch Pantosaurus song and activity pack helps parents find the right words to talk to their children about staying safe. The NSPCC is encouraging parents to donate to the charity to get the pack and help protect a generation of children from abuse.

Peter Wanless, CEO of the NSPCC, said: “It is very concerning that the number of recorded sexual offences against young children is at such a high level and it is vital we do more to help them stay safe from sexual abuse.

“That is why Talk PANTS is such an important tool for parents as it enables them to have vital conversations with their child in an age appropriate way.”