Hunt For Missing Sex Offender

Detectives from Hampshire police are trying to find a missing sex offender.

They're asking for help to track down 41-year-old James Alexander Campbell after he failed to register his address with the authorities.

They say many lines of enquiries have been followed and exhausted in repeated attempts to find and arrest Mr Campbell over the past four months.

He was last seen in Portsmouth on November 19, 2012 when he was released from court over an unrelated charge of shoplifting.

Mr Campbell is described as:

> White
> 5 ft 5 ins tall
> Average build
> Short cropped greying hair
> Clean shaven
> Hazel eyes with a cast in his right eye
> Numerous tattoos - including a heavily tattoed left hand and forearm, the word JIMMY on his right forearm, UNDERDOG written across stomach, and a swallow at the base of his right thumb.
> He speaks with a Scottish accent.

Acting Detective Inspector Pauline Prior of Hampshire Constabulary's Public Protection Department said:

“We have no information at the moment to suggest Mr Campbell is suspected of committing any further crimes or posing an immediate threat to any members of the public.

“However, we are clearly concerned about a registered sex offender, with a record of violence, who has not made any contact with police over the past four months. Under law, Mr Campbell must tell us where he is living.

“A wide range of enquiries and leads have been pursued since November, but the 41-year-old’s precise whereabouts remain unknown.

“What we do know is that Mr Campbell has links with the Yorkshire and Manchester areas, as well as Hampshire. Our investigation so far also suggests he visited the Devon and Cornwall area, specifically Penzance, shortly after he went missing in November 2012.

"Detectives appreciate the assistance of people and organisations that have helped us over the past four months. Although their co-operation has been useful, we are now in a position where a widespread public appeal is the next step in the investigation.

"Mr Campbell is not regarded as an immediate danger to the public, but because he has been violent in the past, our advice is that members of the public should not approach the 41-year-old if they see him.

“Any sightings should be reported to the police immediately by phoning 101 - or 999 if it's an emergency.

“Anyone else with information is asked to come forward, particularly if you think you have seen Mr Campbell or had recent contact with him."

Witnesses or anyone with information are asked to contact the Hampshire Constabulary Force Enquiry Centre by phoning 101 - asking to leave a message for the duty Detective Sergeant in the Hampshire Constabulary Public Protection team at Havant Police Station.