GWENT has more sex offenders per head of population than anywhere else in Wales, according to latest figures.

A report shows there were 365 registered sex offenders living in the Gwent police force area up to March last year, up from 319 in 2003/04.

There were 65 sex offenders per 100,000 people in Gwent, the highest in Wales' four police force areas.

Figures released to the Argus under the Freedom of Information Act also show 160 sex offenders were released from prison or detention into the community over the last ten years. Last year alone, 31 were released.

Seven registered offenders living in Gwent are dubbed the "critical few" and thought to pose a high or very high risk to the public.

A report from the multi-agency public protection arrangements, made up of Gwent Area Probation Service Gwent Area, Gwent Police and the Prison Service, said they were "seen as exceptional cases needing serious management oversight".

It added: "Additional attention, time and money is given to these cases to ensure risk is managed and reduced, and the communities of Gwent are protected."

Detective Chief Inspector Peter Keen and Gwent's chief probation officer, Jane Coates, reassured people who may be alarmed by the number of registered sex offenders in Gwent.

They said officers regularly visited those who might pose a threat.

DCI Keen said: "We developed procedures back in 2001 which set out a frequency of visits based on an assessment of the risk and, obviously, in cases assessed as high risk, there is a significant action plan."

Mrs Coates said: "What we have to do is determine surveillance and supervision for offenders that fits that particular offender."

She said Gwent had "a good track record" of dealing with sex offenders, adding: "That's not to sound complacent because we recognise that there is always more to do."

She agreed there were proportionally more sex offenders in Gwent than the rest of Wales, but said: "It's a stable population which is well controlled."

There are a further 155 violent or sexual offenders being monitored whom the courts have not ordered to sign the register.

There is also one sex offender in Gwent who committed an offence abroad but must register in the UK.

DCI Keen said police used a notification order under new legislation to restrict the man.

It is believed the order was the first of its kind in Wales.

The number of registered sex offenders by police at March 31, 2005: Gwent 365; Dyfed-Powys 275; South Wales 765; North Wales 389

Convicted sex offenders released from prison/detention into the community in Gwent in: 2004/05 31; 2003/04 30; the last five years 130; the last 10 years 160