Internet predators abuse children as young as eight in the North East

More than 250 crimes were committed against children in the North East last year by predators using the internet.

The figures from the NSPCC reveal that the youngest child was just 8 years old.

The statistics, from a Freedom of Information request to police forces across the UK, reveal that Northumbria had 170 cases, Cleveland 99 and Durham, 13.

The number of crimes against children recorded by North East police forces:

The NSPCC said 38 police forces in England and Wales had recorded 3,186 sex crimes against children in 2015/16 that involved offenders using the internet.

Offences included sexual assaults, grooming victims, and inciting children totake part in sex acts. Most victims where an age was provided by police were 13 (535), but 272 were under 10 and the youngest was one.

Chief executive of the NSPCC Peter Wanless said: