Sex crimes against four to eight year olds have risen by a third in Cambridgeshire amid a campaign urging parents to talk to young children about staying safe from sexual abuse.

A total of 276 offences were recorded in the county in two years which is a 27 per cent rise in the number of recorded sex offences against children aged four to eight in the county.

The figures, gathered by the NSPCC through a Freedom of Information request, come as the charity relaunches their Talk PANTS campaign this half term.

Peter Wanless, chief executive of the NSPCC, said: “We know that lots of parents have already used Talk PANTS to speak to their children about the dangers they may face from sexual abuse as they grow up, both in the online and offline world.

“However, the figures we have revealed today show that we all need to do more to help young children learn how to stay safe from sexual abuse, these conversations should be as normal as teaching them to cross the road.”

The Talk PANTS campaign helps parents with children aged eight and under to have the vital conversation about staying safe from sexual abuse, by teaching them the important message that their privates are private.

In England and Wales 6,613 sexual offences against children aged four to eight were recorded in 2016/17, according to police figures[1].

Research conducted by the NSPCC found many parents were worried that talking to their young children about sexual abuse would be scary and confusing for them.

To combat the issue the NSPCC has created a catchy song and activity pack - with cartoon dinosaur Pantosaurus - which don’t mention the words sex or abuse so it is easier for parents to tackle the sensitive subject.

The charity has also produced a fun video which shows other young children using the PANTS activities.

Visit their website to order the activity pack.