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What if a Child Sex Offender is Living in Your Area?

By: Jeff Durham - Updated: 12 Nov 2023 | comments*Discuss
 
Child Sex Offenders In Community

Protecting our children is always a priority and one of the most frightening things which could unnerve a parent might be to discover that a child Sex Offender Is Living Within The Community. Although it’s likely to cause you to harbour great resentment and could worry you, the UK has implemented strict measures to protect the public from known sex offenders.

All of these measures working together are designed to ensure that the threat from a known sex offender who has been released back into the community poses as minimal a risk as is possible, and the whole procedure is carefully monitored and managed.

How is it Monitored & Managed?

The courts have been granted more powers in terms of being able to issue longer prison sentences, open-ended sentences and, in the most dangerous cases, even ordering a life imprisonment sentence in the severest of cases. They can also issue Sexual Offences Prevention Orders that forbid offenders from taking part in particular activities and engaging in certain types of behaviour, as well as there being strict legislation in place concerning vetting procedures for working with children.

Offenders also need to comply with the Sex Offenders' Register and give their name and current address to the police. This must always be updated if there are any changes, and their failure to do so can result in a prison term of up to 5 years.

How Can I be Sure that My Child is Safe?

There are a number of organisations who all work together to ensure that the safety and security of children comes first if a sex offender may be living in the community. These include:
  • The police
  • The probation and prison service staff
  • Housing, health and social services

MAPPA Management

The organisations outlined above combine to form what’s known as a MAPPA team. MAPPA stands for ‘Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements’ and no matter where you live in the UK, you’ll have a MAPPA team working within your area. Their role is to monitor and manage sex offenders who might be living within a community, and to ensure that they don’t offend again. Some of the methods they use include:
  • Regular police visits and interviews
  • Ongoing reviews and assessments of the risk the offender poses, as well as surveillance of high-risk offenders
  • Treatment to reduce the risk of re-offending
  • Placing offenders in supervised accommodation where they can be closely monitored, tagged and placed under curfew if necessary
  • Recalling offenders back to prison where they have breached conditions associated with their release

Do I Have the Right to Know?

You local MAPPA team produce an annual report which explains how sex offenders are being managed in your area, as well as the number of known sex offenders who are living in the community. In addition, the police have in place what is referred to as ‘controlled disclosure’, which permits them to share specific information about the names and addresses of known sex offenders living in the community with those individuals and organisations that have a professional responsibility for either the safety of children.

These organisations include leisure centres, schools, employers and landlords, and there are a number of pilot schemes which are currently being trailed in specific areas of the country whereby some parents and carers are able to gain access to more detailed information about known sex offenders living in the area in terms of their name, address and workplace, if they have one. And, in certain individual instances, the police may decide to share any relevant information with you if you feel there is a direct threat to your child as the result of any report you’ve made to them.

Why Don’t We all Have the Right to Know?

The problem of simply ‘naming and shaming’ all known sex offenders who are living in the community is that there is a danger that they will become victims of persecution. Even usually law abiding citizens have been know to form vigilante groups to act against the offender. The problem with this is that it will often simply drive the offender underground where they’ll disappear. They can then pose an even greater risk to the public as the authorities would then be unable to monitor and supervise their activities. If that was to happen, it is likely to increase the number of incidents of re-offending.

However, if you have reason to suspect that a person is or has engaged in committing a sexual offence against a child or you believe that a person is acting suspiciously around young children within the neighbourhood, then you should report these matters to the police.

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[Add a Comment]
there seems to be one moving out of town groping ladies and girls. we complained to police but no use. is there a way to put him in jail.
Apan - 12-Nov-23 @ 4:54 PM
Can a moderator please remove the comments above by Tricky Teresa!I’m shocked that this post has been allowed!Who she or he is, they are admitting to a crime and manipulating and using children.Police should be informed of who they are.
Hotham2023 - 17-Oct-23 @ 9:04 AM
Last night I was made aware that the private apartment block I live in is currently housing a well known convicted pedophile, I'm furious because I've been living here for 8 months and just found out. We have a swimming pool here and on many occasions we have had our niece 4yrs old come to play & swim all along there has been this pedo living 2 doors away from the pool.what can be done to out this monster from here. Any advice in welcome.
Nick - 6-Aug-23 @ 12:56 PM
There is a man what lives In street he’s very strange he bought a 3 bedroom house he got cameras both side back and front he never goes in his car and he lives by himself he’s very weird bloke north east area he’s white he’s got like a weird hairstyle light ginger hair he drives a nisson micro car red Jarrow this man is hiding something
Brandon shields - 9-Jul-23 @ 2:48 PM
I always go with people who are about 15, theywant to have sex with older people. That int wrong if the girls want to have sex at a young age. Me and my bloke even let them come and live with us and we both have a bit of fun then we give em some money an we are all feelin better They don’t know what they’re going on about do they an we make porn films all the time
Tricky theressa - 13-Jun-23 @ 6:48 AM
Have paedophile lives near me and hes put caneras up out back and front and they have kids playing over the road and he has live feed to it so he can watch on his phone from anywere its disgusting hes on sex offenders register for life for trying to rape a 7 year old girl and got time in prison
None - 18-Apr-23 @ 12:16 AM
I have a registered sex offender living rite near me is he allowed to out cameras on his front and back especially the front ones were the kids play hes always having his windows smashed aswell its a joke now been trying to get him out for weeks.. thank you
None - 18-Apr-23 @ 12:12 AM
Hello I’m looking for some advice about something I’ve seen online , a man was convicted of sexual assault around 10-12 years ago , he has a platform online proclaims to be a mental health ambassador has 4-5 rapes on his sar accro along with inciting a child under 13 to masturbate … for a number of years now people online have tried to get him off the internet , he is a prolific troll , lier and manipulator aswell as a narcissist, his latest tell tail is that in 2023 his been vetted to go into schools to discuss online bullying with children which frightens the life out of myself and many others and I’d just like confirmation that he wouldn’t be allowed because of his sexual conviction … could you please help clear this up so we can put this to bed and know our children are going to be safe in school away from this monster.
Humble dryer #2 - 23-Oct-22 @ 9:57 AM
Just lately I have also found out that a child sex offender is living in our area. Convicted in Ireland twice served time on one occasion and on the second did not. Move his family to England and yet not showing up on the sex offenders register. I am frustrated that I cannot pension the name of the family and where they live now.
Robert - 7-Oct-22 @ 2:56 PM
I have recently found out that a convicted peadophile lives across the way from me , directly Infront of my home. Not a soul in my area knew of his depravity. Although, I have tried to raise awareness. The abode has a 360 camera attached to the front area of the home. The home which is 6 steps from a childcare centre and also a good 30 steps to the school across the way. The ' man ' was charged with possessing and creating a b and C images. Apparently he doesn't know why he did it because ' people like that make him sick ' He lives life like every other. Has a mobile phone. Has access and drives his girlfriends vehicle. Girlfriend of which has two young girls. Is there nothing that can be done to get this man away from such a child vulnerable area ?
Wythenshawe2 - 25-Aug-22 @ 8:22 AM
A convicts serial rapist and sexual offender has moved in with his son next-door. How do I go about getting the scumbag rat out without caving his head in?got a young daughter and once a nonce, always a nonce
Cumbers - 9-Jul-22 @ 1:58 PM
I know that a convicted sex offender is in my area been in a work place with under 18s walks regularly past ininfant schools Dailly with no regard for anyone this needs to stop as he is a parasite who thrives off others and don't care about thr restrictions he is supposed to go byb
Flell - 29-Jun-22 @ 11:22 PM
Neighbour has been spying on my children in garden through fence an other children behind them and infront. Six foot fence was put up by council as neighbour to people before me caught him naked in the garden.he stands by local children's park watching the children. I have found one name that comes up about this person it says he is a sexualpredator. I have contacted somone an they said he crime was in a differentarea and this person is no longer in that area not on electrol role so it is more likely to be the same person. I have contacted police asked them about Sarah's law they will not tell me anything. And my council seam to not taking in what I am telling them it's as though I'm just getting on there nerves reporting things to them.
C - 27-Jun-22 @ 5:12 PM
Why don't you put them on a big island away from any body then you would not need prisons at all
slade - 21-Jun-22 @ 10:16 AM
I am extremely worried there is a man called Mathew Cuff who is getting mothers hooked on heroine and molesting there young children grooming mother and child. He has already hit Weston Super Mare, Clevedon, Yatton, maybe other places in the South West. I live in Withywood, Bristol for 4 years now and he has hit My Dentist in Bishopsworth so I can't get my teeth done as he is grooming people to hate me. One of the ladies that work there was high on heroine & they wouldn't take my phone call to rebook an appointment. I'm worried he has started his pedophile grooming here in Withywood. I'm so worried that he'll hit this area like he has the others as they all are groomed to hate me. The other areas I lived was like zombie land for me as people hated me I didn't know. Children have been missing & it's Mathew that has placing these kids into a pedophile ring. Please can someone help as I don't want this area to be the same. Mathew Cuff is doing this for a woman called Margot Ahern. I can't call the police as some of them are involved. I need some help to get Mathew and Margot arrested as there are some nice police left but its hard to contact them. Please help?
:-) - 12-Sep-21 @ 12:08 AM
To whatever, Your comment seems a bit worrying as the peadophiles most people are talking about are convicted. I have not read any where on here that anyone is being a vigilant, etc. Thus your comment seems wrong no one on here is threatening action towards peadophiles, so why are you defending them or concerned for them. What you are saying is just a thought, not real, what others are saying is based on facts
Concerned - 23-Aug-21 @ 7:44 PM
Whatever how can you defend convicted peadophiles yet have a go at people who find the unforgivable?
Lessrights - 28-Jul-21 @ 7:26 PM
Can a convicted paedophile live by a play park and school? No one checks on him no police, or probation and works cash in hand in a teachers house who has a child. I cannot believe or understand how so many people in the village speak and accept him and his wife who knew what he was doing for all those years and still stands by him. He raped and abused girls under 10 and got caught prosecuted 2 times, he got sentenced to 10 years on the last conviction, yet only my family and a few others are upset about all this. Even people who have children say he deserves another chance and do not like me because I detest what he has done and his colluding wife.
Lessrights - 28-Jul-21 @ 7:24 PM
We live next door to a guy who is a convicted peodofile, who lives with his mother. We haven't got on since finding out what he did when he got out of jail about six years ago. Four years ago after fourth grandchild came along, first little girl, my daughter made the comment she didn't want to come to our house as she didn't want him oggling her babies and neither did we. So we took down their four foot fence, they had purchased but was old, and replaced it with a brand new six foot fence. After she complained to the council and police, she realised she had to live with it.For some reason she has now decided out if the blue she's taking it down and replacing it with a four foot fence again.We now have eight grandchildren from two weeks old upward and do not want him oggling any of the kids. We have complained to the council and tried to speak to the police to avoid a nasty confrontation but police say it's nothing to do with them. Not heard from council yet.Any suggestions???? Why does it seem that if you're law abiding hard working people that people like them always seem to be able to get protection and do what they like!!!!
Nannykins - 18-Jun-21 @ 9:18 PM
The parents of a convicted rapist is moving in to the east Craig’s area of Edinburgh in the coming weeks. Daniel Wilson was sentenced to spend 6 years in jail in October 2020 for the rape of 3 females. His mother has protested his innocence but their home in Dunfermline Fife has been targeted along with vehicles that have had their tyres slashed. Daniel’s parents have been given a ground floor house close to scotmid in East Craigs despite owning their own home in Fife. Wilson’s mother Karen Wilson has lied to Edinburgh council saying she is no longer in relationship with Wilson father electrician David Mcmillian to gain the tenancy while they sell their home in Fife as they are in the process of Daniel being released from polmount young offenders for weekend home visits while wearing a security tag
Logan11 - 14-Jun-21 @ 1:10 AM
Hi everyone. A few residents in my street are very concerned about a young man in a property in 21 Mary Street aberdare. We woke up to a sign of paedophile written across the front of his house and with doing research he as been convicted of paedophilia in the last few years.
Jc - 18-Apr-21 @ 9:57 PM
Hi guys, just some advise on how to look after our community please. A family around the corner have a son serving six years for rape on a few girls, i know he could be out in three. His mother is trying to get him back at her house and i know for a fact he is differently not wanted back. Is there anything we can do to make sure he cant get back here, firstly to protect the young girls of the area. But also to protect his family as i really dont think it will go down well and i can imagine a few families may take matters into there own hands. The do live in a council property, could we take this up with them, would a petition be any good, would going to the papers help. Please please i have a teenage girl and would be grateful for your advise.
chris - 16-Apr-21 @ 9:17 PM
My friends kid was raped by a paedo , outside his home , so he had to let his child live somewhere else out of fear , He got a new house and the council never told him that he is living beside paedophiles surly he should have been told this before moving in
Biddi me - 14-Dec-20 @ 8:59 PM
The beast that lives next door to me preyed on disadvantaged boys and girls 10 years old.He was given 9 years in prison ,got out and lives next door to me.is there a way he can be shifted as I cannot stand him being there
Evan - 1-Sep-20 @ 10:46 PM
I have been harassingby MegaraReality corp Elestherios Ypislantis Who is tellto peopleabout me Also Greek people who hate our nationality which isTurkish are harassing me because Elestherios Ypislantis . I'm changinghouse every 3 months because of hm . He is forcing neighborhood or my roommate formaking me move out.He tells to my roommate and another people about meHe says i'm selling myself . It is so disgustingI was living in Bay ridge. I could not stand there . He made to me as a bad person . I'm well educated.. I complained to police department but they never stopped .Elestherios Ypislantistold my workplace . Tell the people I'm not real engineer . My work s not good. This is harassment and against to law . What should i do ?
Ipek Sahin - 20-Mar-19 @ 2:01 AM
Its amazing and concerning how normal people can turn into vicious territorial conclusion jumping vigilantes when they suspect someone is a threat to them. Maby a bit of thought before acting would prevent innocents from harm on both sides of the argument.
whatever - 29-Apr-18 @ 10:22 PM
Kat - Your Question:
Hi everyone just need bit of advice really! I've been in my property almost 5 years now and loved it until say the last 12 months, most of the neighbours don't work and they all sit out the front together drinking and smoking and gossiping, well a new family moved in below me and at first I got on quite well with the woman taking her shopping doing skip runs for her so she didn't get into trouble with the housing for her trash also being a personal taxi to her quite a few times, getting medicine for her child when she was ill because she couldn't be bothered to walk to the shops! Anyway we fell out over something really stupid, I didn't go for a drink with her on her bday! Well since then we havnt spoke, well not on friend terms anyway! Her loud music at really late times has always been a problem but since we fell out its been worse! They have it full blast so my to shakes and I can hear every beat also they now I have a child also, the music Wakes my child up so I don't know how theirs sleeps through it! Well we've had numerous arguments over it now which led to them threatening me and my partner, I was extremely close to phoning the police, the only thing that stopped me is that her partner is a body builder (he also hits her) he is extremely intimidating! And I thought the reprocushion after will not be worth it! I've phoned the housing numerous times asking for help and they keep fobbing me off to envioronmental health! They don't work and are living on benefits, where as me and my partner both work full time, I pay full rent n full council tax. Her partner is also on the sex offenders register for assaulting a girl under the age of 18 a few years ago! I have literally had enough and don't know what to do anymore????

Our Response:
It is the environmental health department you need to talk to about noise nuisance. If you feel they are in breach of the tenancy agreement then the council housing dept will of course need to act, but the assistance of environmental health will be needed to prove a case.
ProblemNeighbours - 31-Mar-16 @ 12:08 PM
Hi everyone just need bit of advice really! I've been in my property almost 5 years now and loved it until say the last 12 months, most of the neighbours don't work and they all sit out the front together drinking and smoking and gossiping, well a new family moved in below me and at first I got on quite well with the woman taking her shopping doing skip runs for her so she didn't get into trouble with the housing for her trash also being a personal taxi to her quite a few times, getting medicine for her child when she was ill because she couldn't be bothered to walk to the shops! Anyway we fell out over something really stupid, I didn't go for a drink with her on her bday! Well since then we havnt spoke, well not on friend terms anyway! Her loud music at really late times has always been a problem but since we fell out its been worse! They have it full blast so my to shakes and I can hear every beat also they now I have a child also, the music Wakes my child up so I don't know how theirs sleeps through it! Well we've had numerous arguments over it now which led to them threatening me and my partner, I was extremely close to phoning the police, the only thing that stopped me is that her partner is a body builder (he also hits her) he is extremely intimidating! And I thought the reprocushion after will not be worth it! I've phoned the housing numerous times asking for help and they keep fobbing me off to envioronmental health! They don't work and are living on benefits, where as me and my partner both work full time, I pay full rent n full council tax. Her partner is also on the sex offenders register for assaulting a girl under the age of 18 a few years ago! I have literally had enough and don't know what to do anymore????
Kat - 28-Mar-16 @ 10:06 PM
sorry to read of your distress. If things haven't improved for you all. I suggest you seek help from your local council. Or book an appointment with the Citizens Advice. All the very best.
LeenB - 5-Oct-15 @ 1:17 PM
Now i am persuingM.A and preparing for civil services,my economic condition is not so good that to go out.So i am to study as hard as possible,but my neighbours make noise and threaten me and my family everytime so it is not possible to focus on study as well,so plz suggest me wht legal action should be taken to protect me and my family.
ALOK - 1-Aug-13 @ 5:46 AM
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