The NSPCC has called on people in Kent to back a ban on adults sending sexual messages to children after a local poll revealed 80 percent of residents already believe this to be illegal.

The number of children counselled by ChildLine about online sexual abuse has increased by 168% last year – averaging seven counselling sessions a day.

The rise in cries for help – totalling 2,842 counselling sessions – is revealed as the NSPCC launches its Flaw the Law campaign to make it a crime for an adult to send a child a sexual image.

This follows a YouGov poll which found eight out of ten people in Kent – who believed adults sending children explicit messages is already a crime – said they would support a change in the law to make this an offence.

A ChildLine base in London counselled 508 children about online sexual abuse last year.

NSPCC regional head of service Colin Peak said: “No adult should be deliberately sending sexual messages to children, but incredibly it is not always illegal. Existing laws are a hotch-potch and sex offenders can and do exploit the loopholes.

“The rise of online communication means that children are increasingly being exposed to sexual messages from adults, on social networks or through messaging apps, but in many cases the police are powerless to act.”

He added: “Currently, old laws are being stretched to fit new paedophile behaviour. The Serious Crime Bill now being debated in Parliament is a timely opportunity to tailor the law to better protect children from sexual abuse. And we need the public to get behind our Flaw in the Law campaign.”