London housing scores of paedophiles

Scores of convicted paedophiles are living in the community in every London borough, official figures have revealed for the first time.

The most detailed public analysis of sexual, violent and potentially dangerous offenders in the community shows there are 1,847 registered sex offenders living in London - the equivalent of 58 for each of the city's 32 boroughs.

The startling figures have been published for the first time as part of the Government's response to public concerns-about cases like the abduction and murder of Sarah Payne.

The eight-year-old's death at the hands of Roy Whiting prompted demands for the creation of a public register of sex offenders which would let communities know the whereabouts of paedophiles in their midst.

But the Government and police chiefs are united in the belief that such a move would simply drive offenders underground and place children at greater risk.

Instead, arrangements for monitoring paedophiles have been tightened up with the creation of new Multi-Agency Public Protection Panels which link housing, health and social services staff with police and the probation service. Part of their duty is to make sure the public know what steps are being taken to protect them.

London's first annual report shows that 6,796 high-risk offenders are being monitored by specialist new police and probation teams, including 4,540 sexual and violent criminals who have been jailed in the past 12 months.

At least 2,600 are still in custody and will be tracked closely on release, while 880 are out on licence, which means they can be sent back to jail if their behaviour gives rise to concerns that they might reoffend.

Ministers admit that risks can never be completely eliminated, but Home Office minister Hilary Benn said: "Burying our heads in the sand and pretending these offenders do not exist is not an option.

"Chasing them out of one community and into another is not an intelligent response either. We need to know where these people are so we can minimise the risk they pose."

Under the new system, which has been in place since April last year, police and probation staff have to make joint arrangements to assess and manage dangerous offenders - 47,000 have been identified nationally, including 18,513 registered sex offenders.