Children are increasingly being targeted on the web by sex offenders, new figures show.

Data from Dorset Police reveals an increase in reported child sexual offences – including cyber-related crimes.

A total of 40 out of 44 forces provided children's charity the NSPCC with data on cyber-related sex crimes against under 18s including online grooming, sexual communication with a child, and rape.

In the south west there has been a significant increase in the number of recorded sexual offences against children that have a cyber 'flag' attached. The number has risen from 187 across the region’s five police forces in 2015/16 to 334 in 2018/19.

In Dorset there were 422 offences in 2015/16 (28 with a cyber flag) but in 2018/19 this shot up to 768 (82 with a cyber flag).

The charity is calling on the next Prime Minister to stand firm against industry lobbying by prioritising online safety and bringing in laws that deliver a change in protection against abuse.

It is hoped it will help people like Molly (not her real name) who was 15 when she began talking online to someone.

She thinks a change in the law would help a lot of young people who are receiving sexual messages from adults and unsure of how to handle the situation.

After a month and a half of talking to 'Gavin', the messages began getting more personal and sexual. She deleted the messages as she felt disgusted.

After reporting the incidents to police, Molly was referred to the NSPCC’s Letting The Future In service, which has helped her work through her worries and help her move on from what has happened.

The police figures have been revealed ahead of the NSPCC’s annual conference How Safe Are Our Children? which begins today in London.

It comes days before the Government closes its consultation on its Online Harms White Paper, which proposes to introduce an independent regulator to enforce a legal duty of care on tech companies to keep users safe on their platforms.

The NSPCC has led the charge on this for the past two years with its Wild West Web campaign.

Peter Wanless, NSPCC CEO, said: “Behind each offence is a child suffering at the hands of sex offenders and, worryingly, we know these figures are the tip of the iceberg.

“Far too many children are drowning in a sea of online threats so it’s now time for the next Prime Minister, whoever he may be, to cast out the life jacket.

“They must introduce an independent regulator to protect children from the risks of abuse and harmful content.”