TWO North East areas have some of the highest rates of sex offenders in the country according to recently released data.
New figures show that Teesside has the highest rate of registered sex offenders in the country, and County Durham has nearly 1,000 registered sex offenders living in the area.
Police forces, probation services and other government agencies keep tabs on dangerous criminals in communities across England and Wales using management plans known as Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPAs).
Ministry of Justice data shows 1,084 people convicted of sex crimes were being managed under MAPPAs in the Teesside policing area and 901 in County Durham at the end of March.
It means there were 217 registered sex offenders for every 100,000 people in Teesside at that time – which is the highest rate in England and Wales, and above 163 the previous year.
County Durham has 157 registered sex offenders for every 100,000 people in the area at that time – higher than 148 recorded in the previous year.
MAPPAs allow authorities to assess and manage the risk posed by sexual and violent offenders.
In Teesside, sex offenders made up 77 per cent and in County Durham, sex offenders made up 80 per cent of those subject to the arrangements in March.
There were also 314 violent offenders and eight other dangerous offenders in Teesside and 226 violent offenders and five other dangerous offenders in County Durham under MAPPAs in the area in March.
Across England and Wales, 64,300 registered sex offenders were subject to MAPPAs as of March – three per cent more than in March 2020, and the equivalent of 122 in every 100,000 people.
The number has more than doubled since 2006-07, with the upward trend driven mainly by increases in the number of people convicted of sexual offences that are placed on the sex offenders register, many of them for life, the MoJ said.
Plans are specific to each offender but could include conditions such as being regularly monitored, living in approved premises and having to disclose their offending history.
Those on the sex offenders’ register have notification requirements in place that can include having to tell the police when they intend to travel and where they are staying.
Jayne Butler, CEO of Rape Crisis England and Wales, said the organisation welcomed any measures taken to hold sexual abusers to account but said MAPPAs were not sufficient in keeping victims and survivors safe nationally.
She said: “The number of those cautioned or convicted for breaches is unacceptable, and the true extent of those breaches is unlikely to be reflected in these figures.
“This is not reassuring for victims and survivors.”
MAPPAs can vary in length significantly, with some offenders expected to comply for life and others for less than six months, depending on the offence committed and the sentence imposed.
Offenders now have the right to apply to have lifetime MAPPAs revoked and, in 2020-21, more than 400 offenders nationwide were successful in doing so – five in Teesside and six in County Durham.
