SEX offences against children across the region have increased dramatically, new crime figures show.

Children’s charity the NSPCC said the annual figures, released by the Office for National Statistics, showed there had been a 150 per cent increase in sexual offences and a 122 per cent rise in rapes of children under 16 in West Yorkshire since 2012-13.

The shocking statistics have been revealed as a Keighley mum campaigns for an urgent public inquiry into child sexual exploitation in the town.

Angela Sinfield, from Ingrow, has collected more than 2,000 signatures on a petition demanding an investigation.

Earlier this year, 12 men who raped or sexually abused a teenage girl in Keighley were locked-up for a total of more than 143 years.

And police said investigations are ingoing into other alleged grooming cases in the town.

An NSPCC spokesman described the latest figures as "grim".

"They show sex offences have more than doubled in the past five years – with a significant number of victims being children," he said.

"Recent investigations have exposed a dark underbelly of abuse that went on for far too long, with the impact only now becoming tragically clear.

"Sexual abuse has a devastating impact on a child, and we urge all victims to come forward as soon as possible so they can get the support they need and offenders can be brought to justice. Any child who has been a victim can always call Childline on 0800 1111."

West Yorkshire Police said total recorded crime had risen by 28.6 per cent in the past 12 months, in the main due to greater compliance with the National Crime Recording Standards.

Temporary Chief Constable, Dee Collins, said: "This increase should be put into context – it is clear that the effect of crime recording changes has had a big impact."