Police handed more powers to tackle child groomers

The NSPCC has released figures showing a massive rise in child grooming offences in the region.

The figures come as police forces across England and Wales will now have powers to stop child groomers sooner.

The children's charity said that Devon and Cornwall police recorded 260 offences of Meeting a Child Following Sexual Grooming in the year to March 2016.

This is a dramatic rise from the 29 offences recorded in 2011/2012, according to Home Office figures.

From today online grooming is a crime in England and Wales, meaning police will be able to arrest anyone who sends a sexual message to a child, and intervene before physical abuse takes place.

Similar legislation is already in place in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

• If you'd like advice, support or share concerns get in touch with the NSPCC.