Data shows how many sex offenders living in Gwent and Wales

Police forces, probation services and other government agencies keep tabs on dangerous criminals in communities across Wales and England, using management plans known as multi-agency public protection arrangements (MAPPA).

New Ministry of Justice data shows 795 people convicted of sex crimes were being managed under MAPPAs in the Gwent policing area at the end of March this year – that's an area comprising Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Monmouthshire, Newport and Torfaen.

It means there were 150 registered sex offenders for every 100,000 people in the area at that time – higher than the Wales and England average (122), and one of the highest rates across the two nations.

In Gwent, sex offenders made up 71 per cent of those subject to the arrangements in March. There were also 324 violent offenders and six other dangerous offenders under MAPPAs in the area at that point.

MAPPAs allow authorities to assess and manage the risk posed by sexual and violent offenders. 

Plans are specific to each offender but could include conditions such as being regularly monitored, living in approved premises and having to disclose their offending history.

Those on the sex offenders' register have notification requirements in place that can include having to tell the police when they intend to travel and where they are staying.

The figures also show that sex offenders in Gwent were cautioned or convicted on seven occasions last year for for breaching their notification requirements.

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MAPPAs can vary in length significantly, with some offenders expected to comply for life and others for less than six months depending on the offence committed and the sentence imposed.

Offenders now have the right to apply to have lifetime MAPPAs revoked and, in 2020-21, more than 400 offenders across Wales and England were successful in doing so – including two in Gwent.

A National Police Chiefs Council spokesman said the UK has some of the toughest powers in the world to manage violent and sexual offenders.

He said personalised risk management plans under MAPPA enabled authorities to more actively manage offenders posing the greatest risk to the public.

A MoJ spokesman said the number of serious further offences committed by those subject to MAPPAs was at an eight-year low, and the figures showed that the arrangements were working.

Additional reporting by Joanna Morris, data reporter for the RADAR news service.