Devon and Cornwall police say reports of a steep increase in sexual offences against children in the force area are misleading.
The NSPCC's third annual State of the Nation report claims that figures were up by 51 per cent in the year from 2013 to 2014, compared with the previous 12 months - amounting to more than 1,100.
But a senior officer from the Public Protection Unit has examined the figures and says around a third are historical cases, where the abuse took place years or decades before it was reported.
Therefore the statistics would suggest that more victims have the confidence to come forward now, rather than a rise in offences.
Detective Superintendent Paul Northcott said: "Devon and Cornwall Police are committed to supporting victims of sexual abuse, no matter when the crime took place, and we will work tirelessly to ensure offenders are brought to justice."
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