Police spoke to a three-year-old for allegedly sexually abusing other children, it has been revealed.
Durham Police investigated a claim the toddler took part in “sexual activity” with two youngsters aged five and seven.
The case was among hundreds of alleged abuse between children in the UK last year.
According to a study, the number of youngsters investigated for sexual activity with other children has doubled in three years.
The allegations, which range from tricking a friend into undressing to performing sex acts, rose to 1,047 last year, up from 555 in 2013.
Children under five have been identified as suspects by police forces in West Yorkshire, South Wales and West Mercia in addition to the Durham case.
Javed Khan, chief executive of Barnardo's children's charity, told The Sun on Sunday: “Children abusing other children is deeply worrying.
"They're getting distorted ideas from images online or, tragically, because they've been abused themselves."
It comes amid claims 500 sex offenders could be on the run in Britain.
The Sunday People reported 327 known offenders were on missing lists after 24 police forces responded to inquiries.
However, because 19 other forces did not answer, it is estimated the true total to be closer to 500.
