‘Sexting teens could end up on sex offenders register’ – police

TEENAGERS involved in ‘sexting’ could go on to commit offences that would land them on the sex offenders register, police said.

Officers say they are being forced to look at new ways of tackling sex offences early on, with the number registered sex offenders in Greater Manchester more than doubling over six years – from almost 2,000 in 2011, to 4,400 in 2017.

The figures include those in custody as well as offenders living in the community.

Police are trialling new ways to manage sex offenders in a bid to stop further crimes taking place – and are coming up with new ways of intervening to prevent the issue.

They say a key problem is the growing number of teenagers and children sending explicit images and videos, or encouraging others to do so.

Officers say youngsters risk going on to commit serious offences.

GMP plans to work to prevent offending early on.

Announcing the force’s new strategy, Det Chief Insp Deborah Oakes, who is responsible for sex offender management, said: “This is a really difficult and sensitive area of policing and understandably can spark strong emotions from people.

“But it is vital work that is needed to help keep people safe in our communities.

“We can’t keep just dealing reactively with the increasing number of registered sex offenders and need to be able to get more proactive to prevent offending, and to ensure there is early access to sex offender programmes for those at risk of offending.”

She added: “Some of the behaviour we are seeing young people involved in, such as ‘sexting’, is leading them towards offending that could mean they end up on the sex offenders register.

“So we have to ensure there is early intervention to stop this happening.

“We need people to be our eyes and ears and to report any concerns they have about people’s behaviour or safeguarding issues.

“With information we ●●The police are concerned young people involved in ‘sexting’ could go on to commit offences that would land them on the sex offenders register can put preventative measures in early.”

GMP will be working to identify people at risk of offending, as well as gathering intelligence to ensure officers will be managing those at risk of re-offending. Police will be given training to understand sexual offending and will learn how they can help work with the public to prevent it from taking place. The project, a joint initiative between GMP and the mayor’s office, is being funded by Home Office.

It is expected to continue until March 2018. Anyone with information can contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111. the