Police lose track of nine sex offenders

NEWS Shopper has discovered Kent police has lost track of known sex offenders.

The force was responding to a Freedom of Information request submitted by News Shopper.

It confirmed the whereabouts of nine registered sex offenders “became unknown” in 2007.

Police declined to say who the missing people are, where they used to live and what offences they had committed.

They say officers may find the contact details they have been given are incorrect and then work with partner agencies to locate the offenders.

Assistant Chief Constable Allyn Thomas said: “Kent police take this matter very seriously.

“Active investigations are ongoing in order to trace the nine people.”

He added: “We are working with partner agencies and other forces in a bid to locate these offenders.

“This may also include working with agencies overseas.

“Once these offenders have been located, Kent police will work with the Crown Prosecution Service to ensure they are dealt with appropriately, and in some instances, returned to prison.”

He said: “Kent police, together with the Kent Police Authority, has recently committed £750,000 towards monitoring offenders living in the county, including assessing any risks to communities.”

Family Matters is a charity which offers counselling to victims of sexual abuse in north Kent.

Its chairman, Malcolm Gilbert, says although the figures are disturbing they should not discourage victims from reporting offences.

He said: “We must not let a focus on the Sex Offenders’ Register diminish our vigilance against the sexual abuse of children and the sexual assault of young people and women.

“The vast majority of sex offenders go undetected because their crimes go unreported and so they have never been put on the register in the first place.”

Mr Gilbert added: “Many of these offenders continue to abuse and prey on the vulnerable with little fear of being caught.”

A national newspaper recently revealed police forces across the country had lost track of 337 sex offenders since 1997.

There are 92 registered sex offenders living in north Kent and 983 in the whole county.

Call the Family Matters helpline on 01474 537392 or visit familymattersuk.org

Dan Keel

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