Crime Solicitors

Police lose track of 485 registered sex offenders across Britain, including rapists and paedophiles that have been missing for over a decade.

According to figures released by 41 police forces, there has been an alarming increase in the number of missing sex offenders. These figures suggest, in the last 3 years, that there has been a 20% rise in the number of convicted sex offenders who have gone missing; signifying that the whereabouts of these criminals cannot be located.

Those who are missing have committed crimes such as rape, sexual assault and sexual abuse of children.

The Metropolitan Police have stated that they do not know the whereabouts of 227 registered sex offenders, which includes 38 offenders who have been missing for at least 8 years.

There has been a 22% increase in the total number of unaccounted sex offenders across to UK compared to figures in 2015, where 39 police forced stated they did not know the whereabouts of 396 registered sex offenders.

Duncan Craig, founder of the charity Survivors Manchester stated, “victims deserve the right to know that those that have committed these crimes against them are being dealt with correctly and managed properly”. Alex Mayes, from the charity Victim Support has suggested that these figures have the potential to ‘…undermine public confidence in the criminal justice system’.

Presently, registered sex offenders are required to inform the Police as well as their Probation Officer of their current address in order for them to be monitored. This is subject to Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA), where authorities must manage the risk posed by perpetrators of sexual and violent crimes living in the community.

A report published by the Ministry of Justice in 2017 showed that there were a total of 55,236 registered sex offenders living in England and Wales. The Home Office have responded stating that the missing 485 offenders make up less than 1% of the total.

Director of Crime Nicholas De Freitas at Duncan Lewis’ Harrow branch stated:

“This increase in missing sex offenders highlights the cuts in multi-organisational budgets. This is a problem which is nationwide and whilst it is very concerning, it is not altogether surprising.”

Nicholas De Freitas has extensive expertise in all criminal matters, representing both private and legal aid eligible clients. As a Higher Rights Advocate, he has experience in a wide range of criminal proceedings and he has acted as Junior Counsel in a number of murder cases and complex fraud trials. Contact Nicholas directly on 02031141150 and nicholasd@Duncanlewis.com.

Duncan Lewis Crime Solicitors

Duncan Lewis has a significant practice defending clients in serious and complex criminal cases, including gun and knife crime. We continue to deal with full range of criminal offences from police station representation up to Crown Court trials, appeals and judicial review.

Our Crime Department has been recognised as a Top Tier and recommended criminal defence practice by Chambers UK 2018 and the Legal 500 2017 Edition.

Contact Duncan Lewis Crime department on 0333 772 0409 for expert legal advice. For our 24 hour service call Duncan Lewis’ emergency assistance on 033 3772 0607.