MORE than 80 referrals were made to county authorities over concerns of sexual abuse on children in the past two years.

The NSPCC said it made contact with police and Oxfordshire County Council children’s services 83 times in the past two years over fears a child was being sexually abused and said the number was 'deeply troubling'.

In 2015/16 and 2016/17 the charity’s free and confidential helpline also gave advice to young people in the county on 70 occasions.

Oxfordshire had more referrals than Berkshire - 82 and Bedfordshire - 71 but fewer than Buckinghamshire - 99 and Cambridgeshire, which had 153.

Nationally in 2016/17 the charity referred 4,677 contacts - an increase of 31 per cent on the previous year.

The charity’s head of helplines, John Cameron, said the figures were ‘deeply worrying’ but also showed society was becoming more alert to the risks.

He said: “It is deeply worrying that so many children are potentially being exposed to such a devastating experience, but at the same time it also suggests that as a society we are much more alert to the risk and much more willing to come forward and share our concerns.”

Mr Cameron added: “Sexual abuse can do huge damage to a child’s life and left untreated will often haunt them long into adulthood.

“It is therefore vital that anyone who suspects a young person is in danger contacts the authorities or gets in touch with us through our dedicated Helpline.”

To support the NSPCC’s Christmas campaign and enable it to keep supporting children go to nspcc.org.uk