THE NSPCC has revealed recorded sexual offences against children are at an all time high in a shock report which shows a child is abused every eight minutes across the country.

Reported offences across the region also increased, 19 per cent in Cleveland and Northumbria to 2,737 last year and in Yorkshire by nine per cent, to 5,884 crimes.

The charity says there were over 64,000 reported offences of rape, sexual assault and grooming of children across Britain, 193 of the reports were against babies less than one year old. They believe the harrowing increase comes largely because police forces have improved recording, survivors are more confident talking about abuse following high-profile cases and online grooming has meant predators reaching many more children.

They're calling for increased support and training for police. In Cleveland and Northumbria 869 crimes were recorded against children aged ten and under, 205 of these against children four and under, with nearly one in six offences having an online element. In South and North Yorkshire 650 crimes were against children under ten, 138 against children four and under, one in eleven had an online element.

NSPCC Chief Executive Peter Wanless said: “This dramatic rise is extremely concerning. These abhorrent crimes can shatter a child’s life. These figures suggest the police are making real progress investigating sex offences against children,we must ensure they are equipped to work with other agencies and provide ongoing support and training."