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.

Some 92 of the village's 2,000 residents stand accused of offenses involving 40 children, the youngest just 4 years old, authorities said 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.

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.