Cops launched more than six investigations every DAY into under-age sexting last year
Between April 2015 and 2016, 2,287 crimes of possessing, making or distributing indecent images by children were recorded
COPS launched more than six investigations every day into under-age sexting in the last year alone, The Sun on Sunday can reveal.
Our shock findings come after Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt called this week on mobile phone firms and social media giants to do more to help stop sexting among young people.
Between April 2015 and 2016, 2,287 crimes of possessing, making or distributing indecent images by children were recorded by 26 police forces.
Shockingly there were 510 suspects aged under 13 including one who was just six years old.
Five forces reported suspects under ten-years-old.
But just six per cent of investigations resulted in either a charge or a formal caution.
And campaigners fear the real figure could be much higher, as 15 forces did not respond to The Sun on Sunday’s Freedom of Information request, citing exemptions.
Just 14 forces of the 26 which answered had data for comparative years - and of these nine recorded at least double the amount of crimes of possessing, making or distributing indecent images of children involving suspects under 18 during 2015/16 compared to 2014/15.
Barnardo’s chief executive Javed Khan described the “epidemic” of young children sexting as “deeply concerning”.
He added: “Police should focus on serious cases of under-age sexting involving exploitation, grooming and bullying and social media companies and developers of apps must do more to support the prevention of this abuse.
“Ultimately, compulsory age appropriate sex and healthy relationships lessons are key to making children and young people aware of the dangers of sending explicit images.”
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Mr Hunt said: “I just ask myself the simple question as to why it is that you can’t prevent the texting of sexually explicit images by people under the age of 18, if that’s a lock that parents choose to put on a mobile phone contract.
“Because there is technology that can identify sexually explicit pictures and prevent it being transmitted.”
We also found that in 10 per cent of cases (218) the police report was resolved with by a community resolution or an apology or an understanding between the suspect and the others involved.
In 11 per cent (261 cases) the investigation was dropped because the victim withdrew their support for it - and 16 per cent (370) of cases were dropped due to lack of evidence.
While shockingly 22 per cent (493) of cases no action was taken because police or prosecutors decided it was not in the public interest, four per cent (92) of cases other agencies - typically social services - took action instead of the police.
Sussex Police recorded the largest number of under-age sexting reports (329) followed by Greater Manchester Police (291), Thames Valley (230) and West Midlands (201).
An NSPCC spokesman said they regularly hear from children worried about indecent images they shared or who felt pressured into sexting.
He added: “We hear in particular from girls who can be almost relentlessly harassed into sending an indecent picture or video.
“Unless there is evidence of coercion or exploitation, children caught up in this behaviour should not be criminalised, but rather educated about the dangers and supported to manage the pressures that they may face to take part.
“These risks should be covered through age-appropriate sex education to help children learn about healthy relationships and help prevent sexual abuse.”