ALMOST 400 children were arrested last year and almost a dozen sexual offences led to a child being charged or cautioned in Dorset, new data has revealed. 

Dorset Police arrested 396 children for aoffences in 2021-22, equating to six per 1,000 children. 

Eleven sexual offences which led to either a caution or being charged by Dorset Police were attributed to under-18s in the year to March. 

The figure, although down from the previous year's figure of 13, has been described as a “story of very real harm” and calls have been made to increase funding to prevent such offences. 

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Anthea Sully, chief executive of sexual abuse charity White Ribbon, said: “Despite this being a reduction in numbers, it is still far too high, and behind every number there is still a story of very real harm. 

Bournemouth Echo:

“There is not nearly enough funding put into preventing this work in education settings. 

 “Unless the government commits to this, there will continue to be children where lifelong harm is caused.” 

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A total of eight serious offences, such as murder or violent crimes, led to a child being cautioned or sentenced in Dorset last year. Of these, none were sexual offences. 

Child-centred policing inspector Kerry Shelley, of Dorset Police, said: “The force works closely with schools through the Safer Schools and Communities Team to divert young people away from crime.  

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“We also work with the Youth Justice Service and other partner agencies to ensure that young people who do commit crime are provided with education, intervention and support to prevent reoffending. 

“Prevention is key and officers and staff from our Safer Schools and Communities Teams work with schools to educate young people about issues such as knife crime and the tragic consequences that this can lead to. 

“Dorset Police also works in conjunction with the drugs outreach services in Dorset for any drug-related offences involving children.  

“In Dorset we have a very small number of incidents involving children under the age of 18 who are reported to have committed sexual offences.” 

A government spokesperson said: “We are determined to tackle all sexual abuse, including violence against women and girls, and to keep children safe. 

“Relationships, sex and health education has been made a mandatory part of the school curriculum, helping pupils learn about these subjects in an age-appropriate way.”