Number of sex offenders in region nears 4,000

Police and probation officers were monitoring 5,184 criminals on the region’s streets at the end of March, including 3,878 convicts on the sex offenders register.

Figures released yesterday show that the number of violent offenders in the community also rose significantly – from 1,088 in 2010 to 1,283 in 2011.

They were being watched because they had served prison sentences of at least 12 months for violent crimes.

The data was published in Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) reports which show how police, probation and prison services work together in their battle to keep the region safe.

Authorities sought to assure the public that they should not be alarmed.

West Yorkshire Probation Trust operations director Mark Siddall, who chairs the county’s MAPPA strategic management board, said: “Convicted sex offenders are now subject to more checks than ever before.

“The relatively small rise over the last year in the number of registered sexual offenders was expected and is attributed to increased detection rates and the fact that offenders now stay on the sex offenders register for longer.

“The register ensures monitoring is in place and agencies can most effectively protect the public from known sex offenders living in the community. A known sex offender is a safer sex offender.”