Sex offender list found in car park

There were reportedly 204 sex offenders on the list

Police have launched an investigation after a list containing the names of over 200 sex offenders was found in a supermarket car park in Lincolnshire.

The document, found wrapped in newspaper and marked "confidential", was then handed to the Sunday Times.

It contained the names, addresses and contact details of registered sex offenders living in Lincolnshire and others who are from the county, but living elsewhere.

Police said the information, used by multi-agency groups working with sex offenders, was normally held on a secure computer but was printed off before an inspection.

Lincolnshire Assistant Chief Constable Jon Stoddart said: "One of our main concerns was that if any individual details were to be published, we may lose contact with those individuals and be less able to monitor their movements and activities."

Police said they would be contacting all those named on the list, to notify them of the breach of security.

"We view the loss of the document with great seriousness and will take every step necessary to ensure a swift conclusion, to our inquiry," added Mr Stoddart.

The Sunday Time gave an assurance that it would not reveal the details of any of the sex offenders on the list.