Widespread sex abuse in Norwegian village

About 92 of the 2000 residents in a Norwegian village have been accused of abusing 40 children, with the youngest just four years old, police say.

According to reports, an estimated 151 sexual abuse cases related to Tysfjord in northern Norway have been revealed, the biggest such case in Norway. Source: AAP

Norwegian police are conducting an investigation into more than 150 cases of alleged sexual abuse in the small rural community of Tysfjord in the country's north.

About 92 of the village's 2000 residents stand accused of offences involving 40 children, the youngest just four years old, authorities said on Tuesday.

However, several cases are reportedly beyond the legal time frame for prosecution and the victims have apparently left Tysfjord.

One of the suspects allegedly justified the abuse by saying he was a shaman.

Night view of the village of Drag, Tysfjord, Norway. Source: AAP

Most of the cases involve the abuse of 15 to 16-year old girls, often thought to be at the hands of family members or friends of the family.

"Police work up until June 2016 was not good enough," said police spokeswoman Tone Vangen, referencing the point when 11 men and women came forward to police to inform them of the suspected abuse.

The police will now work more closely with kindergartens, schools and pediatricians, Vangen added.