Paedophile threat 'overestimated'

Paedophiles 'are less of a risk than people think'

The risk posed to society by paedophiles and sex offenders may be overestimated, according to a new study.

Oxford University criminologist Professor Roger Hood said the rate of re-offending is far lower than many people think.

To suggest they are a group very liable to be reconvicted and go on repeating their crimes really isn't borne out

Professor Hood

And as the government considers introducing unlimited sentences for the most serious attacks, he suggested many offenders are jailed for too long.

Professor Hood followed the cases of 200 male offenders, and found less than 10% carried out another serious attack within six years of release.

But he stressed that his study only included known sex offences, with many likely to go unreported for years.

'Cautious' approach

"The idea that all sex offenders are extremely dangerous and pose serious risk to the public really needs reassessing," Professor Hood said.

"To suggest they are a group very liable to be reconvicted and go on repeating their crimes really isn't borne out."

He said the study found the Parole Board does a "good job" in identifying those likely to commit further offences.

Sex offenders are very accomplished at concealing their criminal behaviour

Harry Fletcher - Napo

But Professor Hood also suggested the body tended to be cautious, with three-quarters of those it classified as a "high risk" not re-offending within six years of leaving jail.

Professor Hood said that during his study nobody who abused a child in their own family went on to commit new offences.

But more than a quarter of those whose first crime was against a child outside the family were later jailed for another attack.

The figure rose almost one in three when other violent offences were included.

Fewer than one in ten of those found guilty of a sex attack on another adult were convicted of another sex offence within six years, while one in seven was jailed for either a sexual or violent crime.

'Surprisingly low'

Home Office minister Beverley Hughes said the findings were "interesting", but she insisted the government jailed offenders to protect the public, especially children.

She added: "As part of our proposals for sentencing reform we will be looking to introduce even tougher sentences for dangerous sex offenders."

Ms Hughes said that could include life in certain cases, so the length of time an offender spends in custody can be determined by risk.

Assistant general secretary of probation union Napo, Harry Fletcher, said: "The re-offending figures are surprisingly low.

"But we need to be cautious before changing policy because sex offenders are very accomplished at concealing their criminal behaviour."

Professor Hood's study followed the cases of 192 sex offenders considered for parole between 1992 and 1994. It is published in the British Journal of Criminology.