INCREASES in recorded child sex offences demonstrate that the public have more confidence in the police, a police chief has said.

Detective Superintendent Nigel Costello, of North Yorkshire Police, said more people were coming forward to report such crimes.

Det Supt Costello was commenting in the wake of a report by the NSPCC charity ‘How Safe Are Our Children?’ which revealed that recorded sexual offences against children increased by a third in the 12 months to April last year, totalling 31,000 in England and Wales.

North Yorkshire Police said it recorded 340 sex crimes in 2012/13, a figure which rose to 375 in 2013/14.

Det Supt Costello said: “The increase in reported child sex offences shows that more people have confidence in the police and are coming forward to report these devastating crimes.

“However, we know that child sexual abuse is under-reported and we encourage anyone who has suffered in the past or is suffering now, to report what is happening.”

Addressing potential victims directly, he added: “We have officers who are specially trained to investigate these very sensitive investigations and victims should not hesitate to come forward.

“We work with many other agencies who can provide support to help you deal with what has happened."

Meanwhile, national law firm Irwin Mitchell said it had seen a 60 per cent increase in enquiries related to child abuse in the past three years.

Emma Crowther, an expert in child abuse cases at Irwin Mitchell’s Newcastle office, said: “While it is shocking to see the number of recorded sexual offences against children rising sharply, it should be welcomed that people who have been abused feel confident that if they speak out their voices will be heard and they will be taken seriously."

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