Sex offenders out of country – but exact locations unknown
GLOUCESTERSHIRE Constabulary say it knows three missing sex offenders are out of the country.
The exact overseas locations of the three sex offenders are unknown to the police, with one having being missing since 2015, one since 2016 and one since 2017, according to a Freedom of Information request.
The police said it has been in contact with the local authorities where registered sex offenders are currently residing abroad, as they failed to tell the police they were leaving the country.
If they return to England then there is a chance they could be arrested, as registered sex offenders have legal obligations to tell the police information such as where they live.
The details and severity of their crimes are not known.
A spokesman for Gloucestershire Constabulary said: “Due to numerous checks and enquiries we know that these three sex offenders are overseas and we have been in contact with the local authorities for where they are currently residing.
“Sex offenders are subject to regular monitoring by police and the probation service and they must annually provide personal information such as their current address.
“If registered sex offenders choose to move abroad and inform us then we inform the relevant authorities and once we have confirmation they have travelled there their case would be closed down.
“However, as these three people have failed to notify us that they chose to leave the country they are marked down as missing on our system, although we’re aware they are not living here.
“If they choose to return then we will be notified and they can be arrested, as registered sex offenders have legal obligations to tell us information such as where they live, bank details, planned foreign travel and other information.
“They are also subject to a regime of unannounced visits by officers from the Management of Sexual or Violent Offenders team, sometimes in partnership with the probation service, and regular assessments for the risk they may pose.”