Dozens of sex offenders living in area, report shows
THERE are dozens of sex offenders in Helensburgh and Lomond, according to the latest figures.
Police Scotland said there were a total of 61 registered sex offenders living across the area, an increase on figures from two years ago.
The force’s statistics showed there were 17 offenders in G84, which includes Helensburgh, 25 in G83, which includes Luss and Balloch, and 19 in G82, which includes Cardross.
G84, which also includes Rhu, Garelochhead and the Rosneath peninsula, had 16 in 2021.
G83, on the west shore of Loch Lomond down to the Vale of Leven, had 17 at the time.
And G82, which includes Dumbarton and Renton, had 19 as it does now.
There were no further localised details. In 2021, there were 4,445 offenders across Scotland compared to 4,687 in the newest figures.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Registered Sex Offenders (RSOs) are managed robustly and effectively through Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA), which provide a comprehensive response to a complex issue.
“Police Scotland, local authorities and other partners use professional assessment, robust risk assessment processes, and the latest technologies to manage RSOs, mitigate risk and properly target appropriate resources at those who pose a risk to the public.
“Those subject to Sex Offender Notification Requirements (SONR) are placed on the register for a wide spectrum of sexual offending.
“We can never eliminate risk entirely, but sexual re-offending rates of RSOs remain very low and we want to reassure communities that all reasonable and appropriate steps are being taken to protect them.”
Reacting to the figures, Helensburgh and Lomond’s MSP Jackie Baillie said: “It is an unfortunate reality that sex offenders exist in our society and in our communities.
“What is important is that there are measures in place via established Multi-Agency Protection protocols to ensure the safety of residents and carry out appropriate monitoring of such offenders in our neighbourhoods.
“For this reason, it is essential that Police Scotland particularly, but also other agencies involved in monitoring, are well enough resourced to enable them to undertake necessary duties in respect of monitoring and public protection.
“It is vital that the Scottish Government provides adequate resources to enable this to take place.”