The number of registered sex offenders in Gwent has risen to 422 from 406 last year, according to the latest figures released by the Ministry of Justice.

Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangement reports show the amount of registered sex offenders in the area has been increasing over the past five years.

There are 16 more on the register than the 406 recorded at the same point last year, and this continues the pattern of a steady rise from 319 in 2004 to 365 in 2005 and 391 in 2006.

MAPPA teams were put in place across the country seven years ago to manage offenders living in the community.

The teams are made up of police, prison, probation and other local authorities working together to manage the risk of offenders to the public.

Gwent MAPPA also monitor other types of offenders, and there are currently 161 violent offenders registered and 30 other “dangerous” offenders in the area.

There are currently 139 registered sex offenders in Newport, 124 in Torfaen and Monmouthshire and 159 in Caerphilly and Blaenau Gwent.

Detective Superintendent Rhiannon Kirk said: “The fact that the number of registered sex offenders has increased should not be a cause for concern, as the overall sex offenders register is dependent on how long individuals are required to stay on the list since they have registered."