There has been a rise in sexual offences – such as rape and sexual assault – against children in Cambridgeshire, according to statistics released by the NSPCC.

Figures released from the children’s charity have revealed that there has been an increase in rape of female children under the age of 13, rape of male children under 13, cases of sexual activity involving a child under 13 and sexual assault on female children under 13.

The number of cases of rape of females under 13 has risen from 37 in 2014/15 to 42 in 2015/16, while there were 12 more reported cases of rape of males under the age of 13 in 2015/16 (35) than the year before (13).

Cases of sexual activity involving children under 13 have also risen from last year (38 to 43), while the number of sexual assaults on female children under 13 has increased dramatically, with an alarming 107 reported cases; a jump of 14 from the previous year (93).

However, cases of abuse of children through sexual exploitation fell from five to two and the number of reported rapes of female children under 16 decreased from 74 to 70.

The number of reported cases of rape of a male child under 16 also fell from 11 to eight, and cases of sexual activity involving a child under 16 dropped from 126 to 118.

An NSPCC spokesman said: “These are grim figures which show that the number of sex offences has more than doubled in the last five years, with a significant number of victims being children. Recent investigations have exposed a dark underbelly of abuse that went on for far too long with the impact only now becoming tragically clear.

“Sexual abuse has a devastating impact on a child, and we urge all victims to come forward as soon as possible so they can get the support they need and offenders can be brought to justice. Any child who has been a victim can always call Childline on 0800 1111.”