Warning over ‘soft touch’ monitoring

MINISTERS are being urged to launch an investigation into the monitoring of dangerous offenders following a spate of attacks.

Campaigners warned in 2015 that a ‘soft-touch’ approach in Tayside could cost lives.

Since then, a string of crimes in the area has left two dead and sparked two inquiries. There have also been four separate cases where local social workers have been accused of a dereliction of duty.

The Scottish Government is being urged to instigate a Care Inspectorate probe into Tayside’s MultiAgency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA), which are supposed to protect the public from dangerous criminals.

Tory justice spokesman Liam Kerr said: ‘Every one of these incidents should have the authorities on red alert. The Scottish Government and Care Inspectorate must look at this as a matter of urgency.’

Concerns were first raised in Tayside when MAPPA coordinator Elaine Osborne said in 2015 that the authority ‘can’t mange’ all offenders ‘24 hours a day’. She added: ‘They have to take some ownership of their own management.’

There has since been a string of shocking crimes carried out by offenders being monitored under MAPPA.

In 2016, a 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had sex with a girl aged 13 in Dundee despite being on a community payback order for a similar offence.

Holly Alexander, 37, and Ronnie Kidd, 40, were fatally stabbed by convicted rapist Krzysztof Gadecki in the city last year. The killer was supposed to be under supervision. An inquiry is ongoing.

In August 2017, convicted killer Robbie McIntosh tried to murder a dog walker while on home leave from jail. Angus Council, the police and the Scottish Prison Service are being investigated over their monitoring of McIntosh.

Meanwhile, four Angus social workers have faced Scottish Social Services Council disciplinary hearings in three years, including one who allowed a sex offender to work with a local Beavers group.

Angus Council said: ‘Robust performance management procedures are in place.’ The

‘Matter of urgency’

Care Inspectorate said: ‘This programme is kept under regular review and allows us to respond to new information or emerging risks.’

The Scottish Government said: ‘Law enforcement agencies have tough powers available to manage these individuals.’

No one from Police Scotland was available for comment.