Hundreds of Kent sex offenders hide behind name alias
Identity changes must be supplied to police
Hundreds of convicted sex offenders are using different names in their day-to-day lives. Right now there are nearly 2,000 people on the sex offenders register in the county. Figures obtained from Kent Police reveal more than 700 of those registered are known to use an alias.
Sex offenders have to tell police of any aliases they are known by, or have been known by.
The same is true of any changes by deed poll, however Kent Police could not share the number of legal name changes it was aware of.
Det Supt Coretta Hine, deputy head of Kent Police’s Public Protection department, said: “Anyone convicted of a sexual offence has a legal obligation to notify us within three days of their conviction or release from prison. “They must also tell us within three days if they change their name or address, or if they are planning to spend a week or more away from home. Failing to do so is a criminal offence that can carry a term of imprisonment. “UK police officers have access to some of the toughest powers in the world to manage registered sex offenders, resulting in low levels of reoffending, and we have specially-trained officers who are dedicated to proactively managing and monitoring those who may pose a risk to the public.”
Public Protection Unit officers are entitled to visit any registered sex offenders home periodically to check they are still living there and to undertake informal assessments.
Frequency of visits depends on the risk level each criminal poses.
Guidance for registered sex offenders on social justice charity Nacro’s website reads: “If you have a partner living with you, the police may decide to tell them about your convictions.
“If you are on licence or subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, you may have a condition which says you must inform the police or your probation officer of any new sexual relationships that you enter into.”
They also need to make the force aware of their home address at the time of convictions and any other addresses or premises where they regularly stay at least seven nights of the year. Once on the register, offenders must report to police every 12 months.