CI Mark Leonard
More than 700 sex offenders were being managed and assessed for risk of reoffending in Lanarkshire in the past year, alarming new figures have revealed.
The latest shocking statistics, from the annual Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) report, show there were 450 registered sex offenders living in both North and South Lanarkshire between April 1 2016 and March 31 last year.
The report from MAPPA – a joint system to manage risks posed by offenders, with input from North and South Lanarkshire Councils, Police Scotland, NHS Lanarkshire and the Scottish Prison Service – reveals that during that period, 18 registered sex offenders in Lanarkshire breached their conditions, nine of whom were returned to prison.
Of the 450 sex offenders living in Lanarkshire, 446 were male and four female.
One offender is recorded as being under the age of 18, while there were 14 aged between 18 and 21, 37 offenders aged between 22 and 25, and 40 aged 26 to 30.
The largest group of registered sex offenders in Lanarkshire fell into the 31 to 40 age bracket, with 96 living in the area.
Ninety-two offenders were in the 41 to 50 age group, 95 were aged between 51 and 60, 43 were aged 61 to 70, and 32 were older than 70.
Although on the one snapshot date of March 31 last year there were 450 registered sex offenders in Lanarkshire, the MAPPA report also reveals that the number of sex offenders they managed in total between April 1, 2016, to March 31, 2017, was 711 – including those offenders coming and going from custody and moving from Lanarkshire to different areas.
Liam Purdie, chair of MAPPA, said: “MAPPA brings together partners including Police Scotland, North and South Lanarkshire Councils, NHS Lanarkshire, the Scottish Prison Service and other agencies to manage registered sex offenders either in the community or in custody.
“Co u n c i l l o r s o n No r th Lanarkshire’s social work subcommittee were presented with the annual report last Tuesday.
“These agencies work in partnership to ensure that the assessment and management of risk is undertaken with all registered sex offenders. This is to manage and reduce risk of further reoffending and to ensure public safety.”
Although the figures may seem alarming, the multi-agency partners responsible for managing and assessing sex offenders say most sex offences are committed online.
And those agencies responsible for implementing preventative measures say that it is reassuring that sex offenders are known to them and can therefore be managed and the risk of reoffending reduced.
Both NHS Lanarkshire and North Lanarkshire Council said they had nothing to add to Mr Purdie’s comment.
Commenting on the latest figures, the area’s top police chief described sex offending as “a complex issue.”
Chief Inspector Mark Leonard, area commander for Motherwell, Bellshill, Wishaw and Scotts, explained: “Protecting the public is a top priority for Police Scotland.
“In Scotland, Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) provides a comprehensive response to a complex issue, using professional assessment and management to properly target resources at those who pose a risk to the public.”
Protecting the public is a top priority for Police Scotland