Police logged 8,500 sexual offences against under-13s over five years
Police recorded at least 8,500 sexual offences against children aged 13 or under in England and Wales between 2021 and 2025, including about 2,000 rape and attempted rape allegations. The figures suggest around one rape allegation involving a school was reported each day, highlighting the scale of child-on-child sexual abuse and concerns about how it is addressed.
The figures came from freedom of information requests to 43 police forces, of which 33 responded; most reports did not specify the accused’s age. At least 1,890 offences against under-13s were attributed to someone under 18, and girls were the victims in nearly two-thirds of cases where gender was recorded. England’s Children’s Commissioner described abuse in schools as widespread and too often overlooked; the Government cited schools’ statutory duties and plans to teach consent and healthy relationships.
- Police logged at least 8,500 offences against children aged 13 or under.
- The records include around 2,000 rape and attempted rape allegations.
- Officials say schools must respond and help children access support.
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Sexual abuse of children is a crime that affects young people in England and Wales. These offences can occur in various settings, including schools, and can involve both adults and other young people. Understanding how common this problem is requires examining data collected by police.
Police forces in England and Wales have recorded information about sexual offences against children under 13 over a five-year period. The data shows that girls are victims in the majority of cases where gender is recorded, and that some offenders are themselves under 18. Many cases involve children in school settings, though records do not always clearly identify the age of the person accused.
Schools have a legal duty to protect children and address abuse when it happens. The Government has said it plans to improve teaching about consent and healthy relationships. Concerns have been raised that despite these responsibilities and plans, sexual abuse in schools remains a widespread problem that is too often not adequately addressed.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Police receive reports of child rape at schools in England and Wales every single day, horrifying figures reveal – with 8,500 sexual offences against children under 13 logged in five years”.