More dubious statistics from the statistics factory

The quango* known as the NSPCC has churned out some more "shock horror (give us more money or else!)" numbers today.

Police recorded more than 50 sexual offences against children every day last year, new figures have shown. There were 20,758 alleged sex crimes involving under-18s reported to officers in England and Wales in 2008, children's charity NSPCC said...

Six times more sex crimes were recorded against girls than against boys. The NSPCC obtained the statistics by making freedom of information requests to all of England and Wales's 43 police forces. All but Greater Manchester Police responded. This is the first time the charity has compiled the figures**.

But the NSPCC says official statistics do not provide a clear picture of how many involved children. It is now calling on the Government to collect and publish annual police data showing the number and ages of victims. The charity also wants these figures to be linked clearly to the number of convictions and other penalties that result from the recorded offences.

* The NSPCC received about £14 million in 'statutory funding' in its last financial year (see Note 3 to the accounts). This is only ten per cent of its total income but a handsome wedge nonetheless.

** If this is the first time, then the figure is meaningless as there is no comparative. Assuming it is accurate, that means that about one-in-five-hundred kids is affected by this each year, which is 20,000 individual tragedies but not much, in the grander scheme of things.