HAMPSHIRE has topped a league of shame for sex crimes committed by adults against children in their care.

Home Office figures for the south east show the number of sexual offences carried out by people in a position of trust rose to 64 in 2016-17.

Hampshire had the highest total with 20 recorded crimes compared with five in the previous 12 months.

Dorset had one of the lowest totals for the south west region, with 10 out of 172 offences involving adults in positions of trust who have sexual contact with children in their care.

But the NSPCC says the figures fail to convey the full extent of the problem because the “abuse of trust” laws do not apply to sports coaches or other youth leaders.

Now the charity is calling for the legislation to be extended to enable more youngsters to be protected.

A spokesman said: “There has been a 57 per cent increase in recorded offences in England and Wales where professionals such as teachers or care staff have had sexual contact with 16 or 17-year-old children they work with.

“The NSPCC’s TrustToLead campaign is calling for laws on Position of Trust to be extended to better protect children in sport and other youth activities."