THERE are 234 registered sex offenders living in Gwent, the Argus can reveal.

New figures released for the first time by Gwent Police and the area's probation service show how registered sex offenders are managed in our communities - and the extent of controls to ensure they do not re-offend.

The 234 offenders are placed on the register because a judge has viewed them as a potential threat to society.

The figures include high-profile sex offenders such as Canadian Bradley Webb, jailed after posing as a teenage girl to try to trap a young Gwent e-mail penpal, evil rapists Jaswinder Grewal, Michael Podmore and Carl Ball, runaway rapist Trevor Masters, who fled Britain after being convicted, and Ty Mawr children's home sex offenders John Wright and Barrie Alden.

The figure equates to 42 sex offenders per 100,000 population in the Gwent Police force area. But there is no breakdown of seriousness of offences - the figure includes offences ranging from rape to consensual sex with a girl aged under 16.

Fourteen of the sex offenders registered have either been cautioned or convicted for breaching their conditions. The figures also reveal 309 violent offenders in Gwent.

But it is claimed the number of re-offences for sexual or violent crimes is very low - although no figures for repeat offences are available this year.

Detective Chief Inspector Bryan Wilson, of Gwent Police, said the level of monitoring an offender receives depends on what level of risk he is deemed to be to the community.

He said: "When a person commits certain crimes of a sexual nature they are put on the sexual offences register.

"The Multi-Agency Public Protection Panel (MAPPP), made up of various professionals, was set up to manage the risks an individual may pose to society.

"A local action plan can be set up to minimise risk. This could include restrictions on where they live, what support is offered to them or education issues."

He added: "It is rare that an offender on the register re-offends in a sexual way."

Restrictions can also be imposed by applying for a sex offenders' order - such as prohibiting an offender's movements.

Between April 2001 and March 2002 two orders were granted in Gwent.

Jane Coates, chief officer for the Gwent Probation Area, said: "The probation service and the police in Gwent are absolutely committed to working together to counter the harm caused to our communities by sexual and other violent offenders."

Children's charity the NSPCC welcomed the report, but says more can be done. NSPCC Cymru/Wales director Greta Thomas said: "Children who suffer sexual abuse suffer immense trauma and pain, but NSPCC research shows that only one in four speak out about the abuse at the time.

"The NSPCC believes that MAPPPs play a vital role, but they need concerted and consistent support from the government, professionals, and the public to stop child sex abuse."

* Pictured: Jaswinder Grewal