CRIMES involving indecent images of children have tripled in Cumbria in two years – and youngsters are helping to fuel the surge.

Police chiefs say teenagers taking and sharing images of themselves has played a part in driving up the number of offences.

Officers say children who do this are just given advice about internet safety so as not to make them criminals. But they are warning of the potential dangers involved.

New figures show the number of offences involving indecent images of children climbed from 18 in 2012 to 54 last year.

Cumbria’s police and crime commissioner, Richard Rhodes, said: “Most members of the public will be horrified by the extent of this.”

In a report to Mr Rhodes’ executive board in Penrith, Detective Superintendent Cath Thundercloud stated: “There has been a significant increase in the number of indecent images of children offences.

“This is in part due to the increase in speed and storage capacity of personal computers, increase in types of messaging along with the increase in young people involved in the taking and sharing of images of themselves and their associates.

“When children take and send pictures of themselves in such circumstances, the child commits an offence. These are recorded but the child is quite rightly not criminalised and advised about internet safety.”

The report reveals 91 per cent of child sexual abuse victims are female, with nine out of 10 of these cases involving a victim aged between 12 and 15. Many have previously been reported missing.

Most live with family but are known to the authorities because of parenting issues or have been involved in domestic abuse or crime.

Seventy per cent of suspects or offenders in child sexual exploitation crimes are aged 25 or under. Just under a third of offences have led to a charge or court summons.

Det Supt Thundercloud said: “Where it has not been possible to proceed to prosecution, this is largely due to the victim refusing to cooperate with the prosecution.

“The young person often does not see themselves as a victim.”

Police chiefs said there were plans in place involving other agencies to tackle exploitation.

Assistant chief constable Darren Martland said one of the real challenges was victims who did not know they were being exploited.

He said: “Police are going to schools, advising not only children but parents. One of the biggest challenges we face is the individuals themselves realising they are subject to abuse.”