Police caution 93 sex offenders

West Mercia police have admitted giving 93 sex offenders cautions in the past five years instead of charging them.

The offences, eight of them rapes, happened in Worcestershire between April 2001 and the end of March 2006.

A spokesman for the force said every case was judged on its merits but offenders had to admit wrongdoing and would still have a criminal record.

West Mercia Police released the figures after a Freedom of Information Act request by the Worcester News.

Sex offender

The full figures show cautions were given for 41 indecent assaults, eight rapes, 17 sexual assaults, nine sexual activity cases - including with a child , one gross indecency with a child, six unlawful sexual intercourse cases and 11 other sexual offences.

A West Mercia Police spokeswoman said cautions could be given for a number of reasons, including a first offence or the victim does not want to go to court.

Adults may be put on the Sex Offenders' Register for two years, and those aged 17 and under for one year.

"When an individual accepts a caution, it is important to remember that a person must admit wrongdoing in order to receive a caution and it represents an admission of guilt," she said.

"Accepting a caution from police leads to an individual having a criminal record.

"Clearly this can be taken into account should an individual come to the attention of police on any future occasion."