SEX crimes against 302 children were reported to Dorset Police last year, new figures have shown.

The offences were reported to the force between April 2010 and March 2011.

There were 261 girl victims and 41 boys.

The figures have been published by the NSPCC which, using the Freedom of Information powers, found 60 sex attacks on children were reported to the police in England and Wales every day last year. Offences included rape, incest and child prostitution.

The charity is calling for a “concentrated effort” to reduce the level of offences and revealed just 10 per cent of reported child sex offences end in a conviction.

Det Supt Sara Glen said all reported rapes and serious sexual offences fell by 25 per cent in the last year in Dorset from 583 in 2010/11 to 435 in 2011/12.

Of those 435 offences, 35 per cent – 152 – were against children.

She said Operation Protect work was ongoing to target people aged 16-18 who were getting into clubs and pubs, drinking too much and putting themselves in danger of sexual assault.

Teenagers are also visited in schools and given help and advice about how to stay safe and encouraged to come forward if they have been a victim of crime.

The police also work with other agencies and work with the probation service to monitor serious sexual offenders.

Det Supt Glen said: “We only know a percentage of what goes on and would always encourage people who have been subjected to serious sexual assault to inform the police. Protecting children from harm is a key priority for Dorset Police.”

Det Supt Glen said Dorset was one of the first forces to introduce the Child Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme – known as Sarah’s Law – in September 2010 and has received 130 requests from members of the public who have raised concerns about a child.

Martyn Underhill, the detective who led the inquiry into Sarah Payne’s murder and now lives in Poole, said reporting of sex crimes against children had increased in recent years due to the police, NHS and schools helping victims feel more empowered to come forward.

He also commented on the “appalling attrition rate” which he says mirrors the poor conviction rates for adult rape.

Mr Underhill, who sits on the Bournemouth and Poole Local Safeguarding Children Board, added: “I welcome the NSPCC call for a different approach.

“Make no mistake, the problem is a huge one and it will take a long time to address. If there was a quick fix it would have been found by now.”