A Guardian investigation has revealed thousands of child-on-child sexual offences against under-13s were reported to police in schools across England and Wales between 2021 and 2025. Analysis of police data indicates an average of nearly five sexual crimes a day against children aged 12 and younger.
The data shows at least 8,500 sexual offences against under-13s were recorded by police as occurring on school premises or nearby during this period. This is equivalent to 4.7 offences reported daily. The figures also include almost 2,000 reports of rapes and attempted rapes, with more than a third of these victims being under 13.
Lawyers and campaigners have condemned the scale of the issue. Dame Rachel de Souza, the children’s commissioner for England, described peer-on-peer abuse in schools as “widespread, normalised and too often brushed under the carpet”.
The data, obtained through freedom of information requests, also detailed reports of 6,140 crimes involving the possession, taking, making, or distribution of indecent or prohibited images of children under 18. A government spokesperson called the figures “appalling” and highlighted statutory duties for schools to respond to sexual violence and harassment.