SUFFOLK has the second highest number of sex offenders per head of population in the region behind Norfolk, new figures reveal.The number of convicted offenders placed on the register rose to 279 in March this year from 230 the previous year.

By Danielle Nuttall

SUFFOLK has the second highest number of sex offenders per head of population in the region behind Norfolk, new figures reveal.

The number of convicted offenders placed on the register rose to 279 in March this year from 230 the previous year.

The number of sex offenders per 100,000 population in the county now stands at 41 compared to 34 the previous year.

In Essex, data shows there are 27 sex offenders per 100,000 population with Cambridgeshire having 39, according to the second annual reports of the 42 police and probation areas on the Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA).

Norfolk had the highest number of registered sex offenders per 100,000 population in the region with 52 in March this year compared to 38 the previous year.

Det Ch Insp Tim Beach, of Suffolk police, said: “What you have effectively got is a cumulative figure. By definition, sex offenders are registered for a minimum of five years and cannot be registered for any less than that.

“Year on year it's going to be added on to. It's not going to reduce for years.

“Suffolk is one of the safest counties in the country and that stands in relation to sex offences as any other offences.

“What these figures reflect nationally and within Suffolk is there is a huge amount of work that is going on day to day with dedicated staff both in the police and probation service to manage sex offenders and other dangerous offenders.

“The figures in the reconviction rates show nationally and locally we are doing a good job.”

Tessa Webb, Essex's assistant chief probation officer with responsibility for public protection, said: “Tightly-knit regular planning, sharing of information and the commitment of staff in a large number of agencies make Essex a safe county.

“We're determined to drive this work forward and build on it year on year.”

Det Ch Insp Bob Seals added: “Offenders with any potential for causing harm are referred to the MAPPA meetings.

“Their risk is determined, and then managed. Key agencies who can contribute to improving the safety of an individual offender, either with information or with skills we need, will come to the planning meeting, and often go away with a job to do. We check up on our progress regularly.”

To become a registered sex offender, an individual has to have been convicted of a certain offence. These are usually offences against children, serious sexual offences against adults or offences involving indecent images of children.