Almost 700 paedophiles monitored in the North

Nearly 700 paedophiles and sex offenders are now being monitored across the North, it was revealed today.

The rising level of offenders living within the community includes four the authorities believe pose a high risk of trying to inflict serious harm on others.

And it does not include almost 80 more who are either still in jail for their predatory crimes or else facing prosecution over suspected attacks.

With the Northern Ireland Sex Offender Strategic Management Committee’s annual report confirming south Belfast has the biggest proportion under scrutiny, a top police officer insisted the best possible safety checks were in place.

Assistant Chief Constable Drew Harris, the Committee’s Chairman, said: “Protection of the public is the top priority for all of the agencies involved and I can assure the public that there is now a well-defined system in place, coupled with real commitment to working together, to make Northern Ireland’s homes, streets and communities safer for all our families.”

The report, Managing the Risk, outlines the work of the Committee, which includes senior representatives from the police, probation, prisons and social services, along with the Housing Executive, various British government departments and voluntary agencies.

Among the new initiatives outlined in it are a pilot study to examine a model for assessing risk developed by specialists in Canada, and a Victims Sub-Group established to help address issues of greatest concern to victims and survivors of sexual violence and abuse.

The dossier also confirms 687 men and three women in Northern Ireland were on the sex offenders register by the end of March.

A rise of 70 (11%) on last year, the higher number subjected to notification requirements was largely due to new convictions.

As well as confirming six failed to comply, 30 Sexual Offences Prevention Orders (SOPOs), and nine Risk of Sexual Harm Orders (RSHOs) were granted during 2006/07.

All of those on the register were subject to the Multi-Agency Sex Offender Risk Assessment and Management (MASRAM) arrangements.

But the MASRAM list was further swollen to 770 by others who were either convicted before the 1997 Sex Offenders Act made registration compulsory, or else still undergoing prosecution for alleged attacks.

Representing another 11% increase on last year’s 690 total, it involves those living across the North and in prison.

Broken down into categories, 43 were classed as Category Three high risk (with four in the community); 270 Category Two medium Risk (237 in the community); and 457 Category One low risk (452 in the community).

As the report states, the increase reflects the fact that sex offenders coming into the arrangements will always be subject to risk assessment and to an appropriate level of risk management.

More than 50% of the offenders fall into Category One, with their risk overseen by a single agency.

The highest number of MASRAM cases within each police district command unit was south Belfast, with 97.

This has been attributed to the transient nature of an area brimming with flats and rental accommodation.

It was followed by Derry (53 cases) and North Belfast (50 cases), while both Moyle and Magherafelt had just four cases.

Within the age range of registered offenders, most (251) were 20-30 year-olds, followed by 143 30-40 year-olds and 101 40-50 year-olds. There were 72 cases in the over-60 bracket.

With the report also offering a step-by-step explanation of what happens from the point a suspect is alleged to have committed a sexual offence, Mr Harris emphasised that misunderstanding of the facts and a lack of information contributed to the fear.

He said: “I know that the public wants, and deserves, to know more about what takes place in relation to the management of the risk posed by sex offenders.

“This report provides an excellent opportunity to continue that process. We are also looking closely at how we can improve communications and information flow in both directions to increase understanding and to help allay concerns.”