THE number of sex offenders living in Worcester has increased in the past three years according to new figures.

Police forces, probation services, and other government agencies track sex offenders and violent criminals in communities across England and Wales through multi-agency public protection arrangements.

Data from the Ministry of Justice shows 1,498 people convicted of sex crimes were being managed under MAPPAs in the West Mercia policing area at the end of March this year, up from 1,469 the previous year.

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The rate of sex offenders among residents in the area now stands at 128 in 100,000 people – up from 127 in 2021.

Sex offenders made up 83 per cent of those being managed through MAPPAs in West Mercia this year.

There were also 308 violent offenders and five other dangerous offenders under the arrangements in the area.

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Nationally, 66,741 sex offenders are on MAPPAs, up four per cent on last year and up 65 per cent from ten years ago. The rate of sex offenders among the population was 126 per 100,000 at the end of March this year.

West Mercia Police’s vulnerability and safeguarding lead, chief inspector Edward Slough, said: "Our specialist officers work alongside partners to monitor and manage convicted sex offenders living in the West Mercia force area.

"Over the past year, the number of people we monitor is up by 2 per cent, which is less than the 4 per cent national increase.

"The number of people we monitor typically increases each year, as more people are convicted and added to the sex offenders register, often for life."

There were 22,304 violent offenders and 393 other dangerous offenders under MAPPAs across England and Wales at the end of March.

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The Ministry of Justice recorded a significant jump in sexual harm prevention orders last year, which coincided with a 57 per cent increase in the number of people convicted of sexual offences in 2020-21 following the relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions on courts.

A total of 5,753 SHPOs were handed down nationally in the year to March – up 33 per cent from 4,325 in 2020-21. Of these, 117 were imposed on offenders in West Mercia last year.

Rachel Almeida, who is a victim support assistant director of knowledge and insight, said the charity is "extremely worried" about an increase in sexual violence – and particularly rape – being reported to police nationally.

She said it comes in the context of "poor conviction rates and horrendous court delays."