UK has some of the most effective tools in the world to manage sex offenders

The National Policing Lead for the Management of Sexual Offenders and Violent Offenders, DCC Michelle Skeer, said:

“Protecting the public from  sexual and violent offenders is a key role for the police service.

“A large proportion of the recorded wanted or missing sex offenders are, following investigation, either known or believed to be living abroad or have returned to their country of origin. When registered sexual offenders (RSO’s) are missing or wanted in the UK, all police forces are alerted.  If they return to the UK, there are several processes in place to ensure that they are brought to the attention of police and arrested where appropriate.

“The UK has some of the most effective tools in the world to manage RSO’s. While the reality is that the risks posed to the public by such individuals can never be completely eliminated, there is significant evidence that the multi-agency public protection arrangements (MAPPA) successfully keeps them to a minimum.

“The new Sexual Harm Prevention Orders (SHPO) and Sexual Risk Orders (SRO) mean that, for the first time, we can safeguard children or vulnerable adults abroad as well as in the UK. Along with the Shengen information system (SIS II) these will significantly enhance the existing procedures and processes we have in place.”

Notes to Editors:

• The latest annual MAPPA figures indicate a six per cent rise in RSO’s in 2013/14 from the previous year.
• In 2013/14. 3,370 restrictive orders were placed on MAPPA eligible offenders.