Police records reveal thousands of sexual offences in English and Welsh schools

Published 18h ago · Latest report 2h ago

AI summary39s readNegative

Police data reveals nearly five child-on-child sexual offences against under-13s were reported daily in schools.

Police data from 2021 to 2025 reveals thousands of child-on-child sexual offences, including rapes against children aged twelve and under, were reported in English and Welsh schools. Campaigners and legal professionals have expressed outrage over the alarming frequency of these incidents, which averaged nearly five reports per day. Authorities recorded offences ranging from unwanted physical contact to serious sexual assaults.

Police recorded an average of nearly five sexual crimes per day against children aged twelve and under across schools between 2021 and 2025.
Reported offences ranged from unwanted physical contact to rape.
Legal professionals and campaigners condemned the scale of the abuse following the analysis of police data.

By the numbers

2,021 yrsstart year of police data analysis

2,025 yrsend year of police data analysis

5average daily sexual crimes against under-13s

12maximum age of child victims in the cited average

Timeline

2021Police forces across England and Wales begin the recording period for child-on-child school sexual offences.
2025The recording period for police data regarding school sexual offences concludes.
Oct 4An analysis of police data revealing the scale of child-on-child school sexual offences is published.

Why it matters

Child protection in educational settings remains a major public concern, prompting heightened scrutiny over how institutions handle peer-on-peer abuse and safeguard young pupils.

What outlets agree on

Police records show thousands of child-on-child sexual offences, including reports involving children aged twelve and under, occurred in schools across England and Wales between 2021 and 2025.

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