Sex Offenders
There are nearly 4000 registered sex offenders across the whole of the West Midlands.
The Government figures, released today (27th October 2010) show that in the West Midlands county alone there are just over 2000.
MAPPA is the Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements and is a body which works with the Police, Probation Service, Prisons and others working together to protect people from harm.
Assistant Chief Constable Jane Sawyers of Staffordshire Police, said:
"Robust measures are in place throughout Staffordshire to protect the public and victims, to reduce offending and to rehabilitate offenders.
Protecting vulnerable people is a key priority for Staffordshire Police and our partners. The report outlines recent changes that have taken place to further this, such as the new Child Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme.
The chance of becoming a victim of sexual crime in Staffordshire remains very small, and the re-offending rate of serious offenders is extremely low."
Detective Chief Superintendent Gareth Morgan of West Midlands Police, said:
“The management of violent offenders and sex offenders remains a critical area of business for West Midlands Police and we will continue to work closely with partner agencies to ensure our communities are protected.
We recognise this is a sensitive area of policing and one that concerns the public but the robust management arrangements we have in place aim to minimise the risk posed to the public from this group of offenders.
“The Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) Support Team plays a vital role in helping us protect the most vulnerable in our society. Based at police headquarters, this dedicated team of police and probation staff aims to support locally based violent and sex offender managers, offering a single point of contact on all MAPPA issues, maintaining and updating the violent and sex offender register and sign posting to relevant outside agencies.”
Detective Superintendent Martin Lakeman, who heads up the West Mercia's Public Protection Unit, said:
“This has been an important year for West Mercia Police and the other agencies who make up MAPPA. We continue to be at the forefront of innovative work to safeguard the public. Protecting the public remains a priority for West Mercia Police and its partners. This year’s report highlights some excellent work and once again shows West Mercia at the forefront nationally in this challenging, yet critical, area of work.”
Convicted sex offenders are now subject to more checks than ever before. The sex offenders register ensures monitoring is in place and agencies can continue to protect the public from known sex offenders living in the community."
Liz Stafford, Chief Officer, Warwickshire Probation Area said:
“Warwickshire MAPPA is an outstanding example of how Probation, Police, Prisons and other agencies work together to protect people from harm. Through good communication and the sharing of necessary information we can reduce the risk posed by just over 400 sexual and violent offenders who are covered by these arrangements.”
Assistant Chief Constable, Bill Holland also expressed his support for MAPPA:
“The Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) are a proven way to manage the most dangerous offenders and most complex cases, and this Annual Report evidences the skill and commitment of those working within MAPPA in Warwickshire. Whilst we can never eliminate risk entirely we are all entitled to expect that everything that can be done, is being done to protect our communities from harm.”