Four thousand children as young as TWO have been victims of sex offences at UK schools in just five years

SHOCKING figures have revealed more than 4,000 children have been victims of sex offences at UK schools in the past five years.

The number of sex attacks is drastically on the rise, with more than 1,200 recorded cases last year alone.

Data from 15 police forces reveals the horrifying extent of attacks against children as young as two-years-old.

The Sun Online can reveal more than 500 sex attacks have been recorded on school grounds by just six police forces in the first nine months of 2016.

Metropolitan Police officers recorded the most assaults, with 283 reported from January to September.

This is already close the 330 reported attacks in the capital last year.

Thames Valley Police recorded the second most sex attacks last year, with 132 crimes noted by the force.

The number has increased every year since 2011, when there were 50 attacks in total.

Crimes recorded include rape, sexual assault, sexual activity with a child, exposure, abuse of trust, voyeurism and sexual grooming.

Astonishingly most of the attacks were carried out by children, some as young as FIVE.

Greater Manchester Police have recorded 40 sex attacks on school grounds carried out by children already this year.

Leading charity workers and members of the government have shared their shock at the disturbing figures.

An NSPCC spokesman said: “Schools have a statutory duty to protect children in their care and should be safe places where pupils can fulfil their potential, so it’s disturbing that so many children have been subjected to horrific sexual crimes while on the premises.

“These figures should be a wake up call to all schools to ensure all pupils feel able to speak out if they have suffered a sexual assault at school so it can be properly investigated – no matter how long ago it took place. Child sexual abuse is often not reported so it may well be that these figures do not represent the full scale of the problem.

“Our visits schools to teach children about what kinds of behaviour are not okay and who victims can turn to for help. And we have been campaigning to make sex and relationships education compulsory in schools, so that sexual abuse can be discussed in an age appropriate way.”

A Department for Education spokesperson said: “No young person should be made to feel unsafe or suffer harassment in any circumstance. Fortunately crime in schools is very rare but sexual assault of any kind must always be reported to the police.

“We regularly update our guidance to schools on how to make sure they are as safe as possible and provide a range of other materials – including guidance on teaching about consent and advice for teachers who fear that a child is being abused.”

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