Rise in sex offender numbers

Concerns were raised about monitoring sex offenders

The number of registered sex offenders in Scotland has grown by 300 in the past year, according to new figures.

The register, which was set up in 1997, contains 1,816 names of people convicted of sex offences.

The statistics were revealed in a parliamentary answer to the Conservative MSP Bill Aitken.

He said they show a need for more police to tackle sex offences but the Scottish Executive insisted investment in policing is at an all-time high.

It is depressing to think that we have this number of sex offenders in our midst

Tory MSP Bill Aitken

Mr Aitken, MSP for the Glasgow region, said the present number of police would be unable to cope with keeping track of the increasing number of sex offenders in communities.

"It is depressing to think that we have this number of sex offenders in our midst," he said.

"Clearly nobody has considered the amount of work necessary on the part of the police in keeping track of these people.

"This represents yet another increase on the police workload and will have to be recognised in staffing levels."

All-time high

Mr Aitken added: "We simply cannot have a situation where insufficient police numbers result in offenders of this type disappearing into the wider community without the police having at least some knowledge of their whereabouts and activities."

The executive said that the number of people on the sex offenders' register was bound to rise because no one was coming off the list.

A spokeswoman said: "The list was only started in 1997 and people stay on the list for seven, 10 and 15 years so the number is not going to go down.

"Police numbers and investment in police is at an all-time high. We announced an extra £250m two weeks ago to maintain front-line police services."