The number of alleged child sexual crimes reported to police has reached a record high, a leading charity has warned.

Forces in the UK recorded 64,667 sexual offences allegedly perpetrated against victims aged under 18 in 2016/17, according to figures obtained by the NSPCC.

This was a rise of 15% compared with the previous year, and equates to an average of 177 a day.

The NSPCC said recorded offences included rape, sexual assault and grooming.

In nearly 14,000 cases the alleged victim was aged 10 or under, with 2,788 allegedly perpetrated against children aged four or under.