HUNDREDS of sex offences against children were recorded in Hertfordshire in the last year, new figures have revealed.

Children’s charity the NSPCC used the Freedom of Information Act to obtain data from all 43 police forces in England and Wales, with a total of 373 offences recorded county-wide in 2009/10, including rape, incest and gross indecency.

These included 38 offences in Welwyn Hatfield, and 33 in Hertsmere.

Most reports concern children aged 12 to 15-years-old but 11 victims in the region were pre-school age and 55 were aged 11 or under.

The figures also show the number of young people accused of committing child sex offences, with 47 of the known suspects in these cases under 18.

Across England and Wales more than 23,000 offences were recorded – an eight per cent increase on last year – with girls around six times more likely to be sexually assaulted than boys.

Dan Russell, NSPCC regional head of service for Hertfordshire, said: “Thousands of people come forward every year to report sex crimes against children.

“But many victims are too young to ask for help. Others are too scared to tell anyone about their suffering until years later.

“The rise in recorded sex offences against children is a real concern and we need to find ways to help victims and change the behaviour of young offenders.

“It’s clear we need more services that address the harmful sexual behaviour of young people, as well as adult offenders.”

He added: “We urge everyone to be vigilant and report any concerns they have about a child.”

A spokesman for Hertfordshire Constabulary said: “We treat child sexual abuse offences extremely seriously and are committed to protecting children from harm in the county.

“In Hertfordshire we have specialist units aimed at investigating child abuse and bringing offenders to justice.

“These dedicated officers are trained to identify and work with those children and young people who are victims and provide them with the support and services that are required.”

Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Child Abuse Investigation Unit can be contacted on 0845 33 00 222. In an emergency dial 999.