The number of sexual offences – including rapes – which took place in schools and colleges in West Yorkshire has risen by almost a third in four years.
And in many cases those who carried out the crimes were in a position of trust including teachers, a classroom assistant and a school caretaker.
West Yorkshire Police recorded 32 sexual offences in the region in schools and colleges in 2011/2012, but it has risen to 97 in the 12 months up to March this year.
And last year nine offences of rape were recorded and 22 offences included sexual activity with a child.
Forty five girls were sexually assaulted in 2014/15 and 14 boys.
But police say the affect of Operation Yewtree in the Jimmy Savile scandal has raised public awareness of sexual crimes and encouraged victims to have the confidence to come forward.
Figures disclosed by the force under the Freedom of Information Act revealed that schoolboys committed the highest number of sexual offences – 19 – and girls just two offences out of a total of 88 in the 12 months up to March this year.
The occupations of offenders over the last year have included a teacher, decorator, driver, classroom assistant, school caretaker, school meal assistant, musician and technician.
But the disclosure failed to reveal the occupation of 53 of the offenders.
Nationally, more than 5,500 sex offences in UK schools were reported to the police in the last three years.
This reportedly includes nearly 4,000 indecent assaults and more than 600 rapes. More than 1,500 victims were aged under 13.
At least a fifth of the crimes were carried out by other children and, in some cases, the victim and abuser were both as young as five.
A total of 60 children in England were expelled for sexual misconduct in schools in 2013/14, according to the Department of Education.
Jon Brown, head of sexual abuse programmes at the NSPCC, said: “These figures are very disturbing. Sadly, we are not surprised as previous NSPCC research has illustrated the scale of abuse committed by young people. We know that for some older children, accessing hardcore pornography is warping their view of what is acceptable behaviour.”
Chief Constable Simon Bailey, head of child protection at the National Police Chiefs Council, said the problem may be even worse than the figures show.
“I believe these figures are the tip of the iceberg,” he said.
West Yorkshire Police said in its FOI: “Crimes relating to the sexual abuse of children are taken particularly seriously by West Yorkshire Police, regardless of the age of the perpetrator. Specially selected and trained officers are responsible for the investigation of these offences and are situated either in District Safeguarding Units or with Protective Services (Crime), a specialist department which deals with the most complex rape investigations.
“This approach allows not only for the most effective investigation but ensures appropriate safeguarding measures are considered for any child deemed to be at risk. The investigation into such offences are victim-centred and close liaison, where appropriate, will always take place with lawyers within CPS with a view to bringing offenders to justice.”
