THE number of sex offences reported in the region's schools has risen, according to figures obtained by a children's charity.

However the numbers are still relatively small and cover the full range of sexual offences from harassment to rape.

Figures obtained under the Freedom of Information Act by the Plan International charity showed there were 28 sex offences reported to police in Cleveland, North Yorkshire and Northumbria in 2013/14 but 60 in 2014/15.

Durham Police declined to provide any information saying it would take too much time and money to find out.

Nationally the Plan International UK charity, which is part of a global children's rights organisation, said reports of sexual offences in schools had more than doubled in four years to 1,955 in 2014/15 according to statistics released by 34 of the nation's 45 police forces.

The information released by Cleveland, North Yorkshire and Northumbria showed that there were 52 reported sex offences in 2011/12, 33 in 2012/13 and 28 in 2013/14, rising to 60 in 2014/15 across the three forces.

Over the four years taken together, there were 104 offences in the heavily populated Northumbria area, 43 in North Yorkshire and 27 in Cleveland - a total of 174 sex offences reported in schools.

Alleged offences ranged from harassment to serious sexual assaults and rapes. Nationally, fewer than one in ten suspected cases resulted in criminal charges.

Two thirds of alleged victims were girls and 94 per cent of alleged offences were committed by men or boys and 15 per cent were alleged to have been committed by school staff.

Plan International UK wants the Government to to commit to mandatory sex and relationship education which would cover 'sexting', consent, healthy relationships and the law.

“Clearly girls and women are disproportionately affected by sexual violence in schools,” said Ms Smith.

Plan International UK’s Because I am a Girl campaign tackles gender inequality around the world. The charity has submitted evidence to the ongoing Women and Equalities Parliamentary Select Committee inquiry on sexual violence in schools.

Although more than two-thirds of police forces responded, Ms Smith said data submitted contained many gaps and inconsistencies. “Given the nature, severity and school setting, it’s alarming that reporting on this data is inconsistent across police forces,” said Ms Smith.

Durham Police released to The Northern Echo the reasons given to the children's charity for not finding out the information.

A spokeswoman said that in the four year period in question there were more than 150,000 crime reports and 900,000 incident reports at Durham Constabulary and they would all need to be checked manually at about three minutes per record.