The number of registered sex offenders living in Norfolk has increased over the past four years.
Police forces, probation services and other government agencies supervise and keep track of sex offenders and violent criminals in communities through multi-agency public protection arrangements (MAPPAs).
Data from the Ministry of Justice shows 1,188 people convicted of sex crimes were being managed under MAPPAs in Norfolk at the end of March this year, up slightly from 1,173 in the previous year.
The area has seen a 10% rise over the past four years with year-on-year increases from 1,110 in 2019/20 and 1,099 in 2018/19.
The rate of sex offenders among residents in the county now stands at 145 in 100,000 people, higher than in neighbouring counties Suffolk (134) and Cambridgeshire (119).
A spokesperson for Norfolk Constabulary said: “We are seeing more convictions for sex offenders and as they go through the criminal justice system and we have more registered sex offenders who are deemed suitable to monitor in the community.
“There are robust laws in this country regarding monitoring and we carry out rigorous risk assessments which consider offender history and other elements like lifestyle.”
Sex offenders sentenced to at least 30 months in prison remain on the register indefinitely – although some can apply to be removed after 15 years, following a change to the law in 2012.
The vast majority in Norfolk (1,175) are classed as level one offenders, which means police and other agencies share information about them, but no special measures are required to manage the risk they pose.
But 13 were placed in the level two category, meaning agencies have to hold regular meetings to discuss them.
These offenders pose such a big risk that additional resources such as specialised accommodation may be needed to manage them.
The figures show there were also 94 sexual harm prevention orders (SHPOs) imposed on offenders in Norfolk last year.
Norfolk police said they work closely with partners to “ensure all organisations are working together and sharing information for consistency in order to safeguard the public”.
“We also work with criminal justice partners, providing electronic monitoring and are part of The Rebuild Project which works to support offenders in relation to housing,” they added.
The Rebuild Project, run by St Martins Trust and the National Probation Service, manages the risks for offenders moving from prison into long-term accommodation.
In the last quarter 75% of those being helped did not reoffend or breach their licence conditions, according to the Norfolk MAPPA annual report.
Registered sex offenders have to tell police of any changes to their circumstances, such as their address, foreign travel plans, and potential contact with children.
In Norfolk, 19 offenders were cautioned or convicted for failing to do so in 2021/22. Seven were returned to prison.
A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: "The number of sex offenders being monitored increases every year as many are put on the sex offenders register for life when they are convicted."
Although sex offenders made up 70% of those being managed through MAPPAs in Norfolk, there were also 468 people convicted of violent crimes and 19 other dangerous offenders under the arrangements.
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