Sex offenders living in Suffolk on the rise, new figures reveal

The number of sex offenders living in Suffolk has risen over the last three years, it can be revealed.

Figures from the BBC's Shared Data Unit, obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, show there has been increase of 62 sex offenders living in the county, up from 848 to 910.

It comes as a huge number across the country have been failing to notify the police of name changes – including in Suffolk.

Since 2019, 38 offenders have notified Suffolk Constabulary of a lawful change in name or alias, but more than 230 have failed to comply with the notification requirements.

Nationally, 729 sex offenders were recorded as either having gone missing or wanted for arrest.

A Suffolk Constabulary spokesman said: “The management of registered sex offenders in the community is one of the highest priorities for Suffolk police and involves a multi-agency approach between the probation service, prisons, children and young people’s services’, health and housing providers, as well as other bodies depending on need.

“The activities of these agencies are organised through statutory arrangements referred to as MAPPA (multi agency public protection arrangements).

“Suffolk Police keep thorough records on registered sex offenders (RSOs) and the day to day management of RSOs in Suffolk is completed by a dedicated team who monitor, risk assess and enforce the law where required.

“Where a RSO has committed additional offences, or not acted in accordance with strict requirements imposed on their conduct, they are subject to robust action which includes arrest and, where appropriate, a return or recall to prison."

In 2019/20, there were 848 sex offenders living in the county. This rose to 890 in 2020/21, before reaching 910 in 2021/22.

The highest number of failures to notify police of a name change was in 2019/20, when 108 offenders were unable to comply.

By law, those who are on the sex offenders' register are required to notify police of a change in identity. Anyone who fails to do so risks a five-year prison sentence.

While these figures fell by more than half to 49 in the following year, they then increased to 74 in 2021/22.

The number of prosecutions for breaching a sexual harm prevention has also risen since 2019/20, when there were 36 reported cases.

Although the figures fell slightly in 2020/21 to 24, it increased by more than half last year to 58.

Data from the BBC also reveals how many DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) revealed applicants had previous convictions and supplied incorrect or missed personal details.

Eight applicants came to the attention of the force in 2019/20, and while that remained in 2021/22, it dropped to seven last year.

The number of registered sex offenders wanted for their arrest because their whereabouts was unknown has also dropped. In both 2019/20 and 2020/21, 18 were wanted by police, but this fell to 12 in the most recent figures.

“It is the responsibility of employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) to ensure that they utilise robust measures for checking an individual’s identity when an application for employment is submitted," the spokesperson for Suffolk Police added.

"Each police organisation has a responsibility to co-operate with the DBS and provide information that is relevant to the application based on the names given to them.

“If the police were aware of an RSO gaining employment in breach of their restrictions to do so, then immediate action would be taken to notify the employer and safeguard any children or young people involved.”