Councillors ‘being kept in the dark’

COUNCILLORS i n Fife claim they are being kept in the dark about sex offenders in their communities.

Concerns have been raised that the first many elected members know of an issue is when members of the public attempt vigilante action against suspected sex criminals.

With 331 of Fife’s 462 registered sex offenders currently living in the community, councillors have asked for more information from the police in a bid to help protect the people they represent.

The issue was raised at F i f e C o u n c i l ’s Cowdenbeath area committee, where it was revealed a number of sex offenders have been housed from outside Fife and even Scotland.

Council housing officers assess homes using five different criteria before offenders are housed and those considered to be high risk are closely monitored.

Police have said that because of the sensitive nature of the crimes, the public cannot be informed.