THE number of sex offences being reported in north Essex and across the country are expected to “sky rocket”.

Det Insp Terry Balding, who runs specialist teams from Colchester, believes the investigation into activities at football clubs will lead to more alleged victims who will be willing to come forward.

He said: “I think we will get more next year.

“When the first football coach is convicted investigations will spread, swimming clubs, gymnastic clubs.

“It is going to sky rocket.”

During the past 12 months the number of reported sex offences rose 15.6 per cent in Colchester to 408, or more than one every day.

It follows a 34.8 per cent rise the previous year.

One of the explanations has been the so called “Savile” effect with more people reporting historic allegations.

Mr Balding said: “If Rolf Harris can get convicted it shows nobody is untouchable.”

Another involves the use of technology by children.

He said: “In Colchester, we have seen issues with sexting. Children texting intimate images of themselves.

“We have had more than 55 and at one school 25 children doing it.”

These are logged as crimes but dealt with outside the legal system with parents and the schools.

Helen Parr, from the Centre for Action on Rape and Abuse, revealed the number of victims they support has risen 39 per cent.

She has asked for more support as victim numbers increase.

Speaking at the public meeting she said she also believes the investigation into sport clubs will mean another wave of victims coming forward.

Despite the increase in sexual offences in Colchester, Mr Balding believes there are explanations and there are no repeat offenders targeting people on the streets.

He said: “There have not been any increases in stranger reports.

“If I have not caught someone within a week for a stranger offence I am not doing a very good job.”

He runs the adult and child sex offence investigation teams for the north of the county.

A report into the 408 offences last year revealed one suspect who was accused of 15 separate sex offences on strangers.

More officers have been seconded to investigate sex offences.