CHILD sex crimes with an online element in Cumbria doubled over the last year, according to the NSPCC.

The charity is now demanding that the next government introduce stricter safety measures to protect youngsters.

Last year 5,653 child sex crimes committed against children as young as three had an online element, according to an Freedom of Information request.

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Thirty-nine forces across England and Wales reported cyber-related sex crimes against under-18s that included rape, grooming and sexual assault.

The 166 reports of such crimes in Cumbria in 2016/17 is a big increase on the 77 the year before.

This is the second year police have been required to ‘cyber flag’ any crime that involved the internet.

Thirteen was the most common age of the victim but there was nearly 100 offences committed against children aged ten and under, with the youngest victim aged three.

The NSPCC is now demanding an independent regulator to hold social media companies to account; Government to draw up minimum standards that internet companies must meet; and for children to be offered safer social media accounts to protect them from harmful content and offenders who seek to prey on them.

The NSPCC is also urging police forces to ensure all officers understand how people use the web to prey on children, how to investigate such crimes, and effectively safeguard victims.

Peter Wanless, CEO of the NSPCC, said: “Children tell our Childline service that they are being targeted online by some adults who pose as children and try to meet them, or persuade them to perform sexual acts on webcams, before blackmailing them. This terrifies them and can leave some feeling worthless, depressed, and suicidal.

“The worrying data leaves the next government with no choice but to urgently address this issue. We are calling on them to force internet companies and social media sites to adhere to rules that keep their young users safe.”