SOME 165 children in Avon and Somerset were suspected of sex offences against other children in a single year, new figures show.

The NSPCC has obtained data which reveals that in 2009/2010, police recorded 581 sex offences against children, including rape, incest and gross indecency.

Most reports concerned children aged 12 to 15 but 21 victims in the region were of pre-school age and 130 were 11 or under, the charity said.

And for the first time, the figures, released under the Freedom of Information Act, reveal 165 under-18s were suspected of child sex offences.

Across England and Wales there was a rise in the number of recorded child sex offences from nearly 20,700 in 2007-8 to over 21,600 in 2008-9, and nearly 23,400 in 2009-10.

The NSPCC says the figures help show which children are most at risk and from who, and should help local councils and the Government find better ways of protecting children.

Sharon Copsey, NSPCC head of service for the South-West, said: “It's clear we need more services that address the harmful sexual behaviour of young people, as well as adult offenders.

“This year the NSPCC is launching two UK-wide programmes to help prevent young people from sexually harming others. A third programme will test different therapies for helping children recover from sex abuse.

“We urge everyone to be vigilant and report any concerns they have about a child.”