Police lose track of 500 sex offenders in three years

POLICE have lost track of almost 500 registered sex offenders including rapists and paedophiles, an increase of 20 per cent over the last three years, figures show.

Information gathered from 41 forces across the UK revealed that some offenders disappeared over a decade ago and police have been unable to track them down, despite owing a duty to their victims to monitor their location.

An investigation by Sky News found 485 registered sex offenders, including child abusers and those responsible for grooming, could be living in the UK without a local police force being aware.

The revelations come ahead of the release of John Worboys, the London taxi rapist, who victims warn could come after them, as he kept a record of their home addresses.

There are more than 55,000 registered sex offenders living in the UK, with authorities meant to keep track of where they live so that their behaviour can be monitored. They are obligated to inform police if they move or if their circumstances change.

The Met Police revealed it had lost track of 227 registered offenders, including 38 who had been missing for at least eight years, while West Midlands police said 46 on its list were wanted or missing, including one offender who disappeared in 2006.

Greater Manchester Police said the whereabouts of 19 registered sex offenders were unknown, one of whom vanished in July 2006.

The number has increased by 22 per cent since March 2015, when 39 forces handed over information about missing sex offenders.