Six of Suffolk’s 700-plus registered sex offenders are currently listed as missing, police have said.

By May this year the total number of people being monitored in the county had risen by nearly 20% in two years.

Four of those who have breached the conditions of their notification requirements under the Sexual Offences Act 2003 are believed to have fled abroad.

The most recent offender to disappear was listed as missing in April this year. Of the others, one has not been seen for more than five years after vanishing in May 2011.

Two disappeared in 2012, while the others were last seen in April 2014 and November last year.

Detectives – who are having to cope with an increasing number of people being put on the sex offenders’ register – have stressed the protection of the public remains their top priority,

As of May 31 this year there were 726 registered sex offenders (RSOs) in Suffolk.

That figure rose by 138 (19%) compared to April 1, 2014, when there were 588. In November last year the total stood at 689.

Two months ago, 25 of the RSOs were also subject to a sexual harm prevention order or a serious harm prevention order.

Detective Chief Inspector Eamonn Bridger said: “Police work closely with many partner agencies that include the probation service, the prison service and other relevant agencies to manage those on the sex offenders’ register.

“All are managed under local Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) with the intention to reduce the risk they pose and increase public safety

“Suffolk currently have six outstanding offenders who are wanted. This total is only valid for the date in question because information is dynamic and will change as arrests are made or new cases come to light.

“Officers have made extensive enquiries to locate the six outstanding individuals, of which at least four are believed to be out of the country.

“Ongoing police checks and liaison with the border agencies exist and all are circulated on the Police National Computer (PNC).

“The protection of the public remains our highest priority. Suffolk Constabulary has a dedicated team who monitor, risk assess and enforce the law to all who are on the Sex Offenders’ Register.

“The UK has some of the toughest powers in the world to deal with sex offenders and we are committed to ensuring that the system is as robust as it can be.

“While the reality is that the risks posed to the public by such individuals can never be completely eliminated there is significant evidence that MAPPA successfully keeps them to a minimum.”