There have been 59 cases of child sexual exploitation referred to social services in the last year in Waltham Forest, a report has revealed.

News agency Openworld and Channel 4 News have published the results of Freedom of Information requests, submitted after it emerged at least 1,400 children in Rotherham were abused over a number of years despite the authorities being warned about the problem.

Figures show, in the 12 months up to April 22 this year, 66 per cent of the victims were aged 14 or 15 years old - and 95 per cent of the victims were female.

This report comes after a campaign involving police and the council was launched earlier this month to tackle the issue.

Borough commander Chief Superintendent Mark Collins told the Guardian that Waltham Forest had the most reports of child sexual exploitation in the capital up until March this year. 

He said that in the last 16 months, police in the borough had identified 140 children who are at risk, or have already been exploited. 

Of that figure, 62 per cent had been reported as missing from home or in care, and 66 per cent were aged 14 or 15 years old.