Specialist agency monitors sex offenders in Bristol
MORE than 500 sex offenders roaming the streets in the Bristol area are being monitored by a specialist agency, a government report has revealed.
Police and probation workers were keeping tabs on 269 offenders in Bristol and 103 in North Somerset during the last financial year.
Records show that a further 81 in South Gloucestershire were subject to monitoring along with 68 in Bath and North East Somerset.
The figures are revealed in the annual report of the Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements, known as MAPPA, which is made up of police, prison and probation services. It was set up seven years ago to ensure sex offenders did not slip through the cracks in the system.
David Hanson, Minister for Justice, said: "The first duty of the criminal justice system is to protect the public.
"Putting in place thorough systems to ensure high level vigilance of serious sexual and violent offenders on their release from prison is vital in our work protecting communities from crime.
"The offenders dealt with under MAPPA are those whose behaviour can be aggressive, irrational and confrontational.
"This means that the risk of further offences is ever present – that risk can never been eliminated entirely – but the majority of those subject to active MAPPA management do not seriously reoffend due to robust and effective management.
"We have made significant changes to legislation in recent years to enhance public protection, including the new sentence of imprisonment for public protection which ensures offenders are not released until the Parole Board determines that it is safe to do so.
"This means that more dangerous offenders are now in prison where they belong."
Across the Avon and Somerset force, 816 offenders come under MAPPA supervision and six were sent to prison for breaching the terms of their order.
Nationally, figures for all criminals being supervised in England and Wales rose by more than three per cent to 50,210.
Paul West, ACPO (Association of Chief Police Officers) lead for the management of sexual and violent offenders said: "The Police Service throughout England and Wales aims to ensure strict compliance with sexual offender notification requirements and these reports demonstrate that we are continuing to deal positively with breaches of the requirements.
8 Comments
by kelly, barton hill bristol
Wednesday, October 22 2008, 9:39PM
“i cant believe our so called justice system!!!
people who commit sexually driven crime cannot be rehabilitated, its what you are and no amount of counseling will change that i dont k now why we waste so much time money and effort trying to deal with these perverts i think they should be put down like the sick animals they are, they dont deserve to roam free as mentioned before free housing usually near schools no worries just waiting for their next victim to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
why do we let these 'people' back into our communities? i have four young children and i am regularly paranoid about people they come into contact with and i dont think we should have to live like that”
by BHUPINDER, bristol
Wednesday, October 22 2008, 10:09AM
“Sex offenders should be named and it is the right of the Public to beware of these culprits.”
by Sofia, Bristol
Wednesday, October 22 2008, 10:06AM
“In America, prolific sex offenders are given the option of indefinite jail or castration to remove their sex drive and sexual ability. Over here we give them secret identities and free housing, often beside schools. But they're on a "register" so no need to panic. Someone in an office knows what they are capable of.... they won't tell any of us.... but as long as they know.... our children are safe!”
by Dam the Do Gooders, Bristol
Tuesday, October 21 2008, 8:25PM
“Investigate....Prosecute....If Guilty...5yrs hard labour....Execute”
by ellie, fishponds
Tuesday, October 21 2008, 6:39PM
“rehabilitation wont work people cannot be counselled out of who they find attractive !!!”
by Barnaby Farquhar, Clifton
Tuesday, October 21 2008, 5:02PM
“Not very helpful Colin. It wouldn't ever happen would it?
I would never condone any of the acts that these 'people' commit, which leads to them being put on the register.
However, the register is there, so i believe, to keep an eye on these people once their sentences have been served. The rehabilitation of offenders act comes into force after the sentence is served, one of the rules being that they have served their time, so they shouldn't have their names publicised. It's the same law that states that you cannot be penalised for drink driving, once you have served your ban.
I'm not sure that i agree with it myself, but that's the law as i understand it. If anyone can tell me different, please do, i'd be happy to hear it.
Overall, i believe that this is good news. Having seen the numbers though, i won't be allowing my small children out of the house on their own.”
by colin, campbells landing
Tuesday, October 21 2008, 2:24PM
“why do we spend so much time and money keeping these wierd pedos identity a secret!
stuff being pc brand them on the forehead so that we can keep our kids safe. OOOH cant do that its so non productive. Bull they may not be too keen if that was the case. The MAJORITY need protecting from these geeks”
by colin Beresford-Slinn, campbells landing
Tuesday, October 21 2008, 2:19PM
“People in charge of public places should be made aware who these wierdos are so that they can help protect the general public. However the names of these individuals are a closely guarded secret. why is that?we spend too much time and money looking after the interests of convicted criminals and very little time and money is spent looking after the majority of people in this country.
brand the wierd pedos so that everyone knows what they are so that we can keep our kids safe.
Colin Campbells Landing”