Cumbria police is highlighting the work it does behind the scenes to help keep the county’s streets safe.
A specialist department looks after the management of violent and registered sex offenders in the community and the constabulary says it invests in the latest technology to stay at the forefront of offender management.
Offenders are monitored in all areas of their life, the police said.
DI Martin Hodgson, of the team, said: “While dangerous offenders living in the community is an understandably emotive subject for many, people may be surprised to learn how incredibly tightly these offenders are managed.
“Working together and with partner agencies, my department undertakes a huge amount of work for every single registered sex offender released from prison.
“The lengths that our offender managers go to each time is extraordinary.
“Before an offender is released, their manager will already know every personal detail about them.
“Once they are released, they set about knowing how that person functions day to day – from exact daily routine, electronic devices they own, their relationships, vehicles, bank details and national insurance number – even their shoe size.”
The force has broken down what it does for each offender:
- Dedicated offender manager to ensure compliance to any requirements needing to be upheld
- Individual risk assessment.
- Individual risk management plan.
- Registered sex offenders are subject to notification requirements where certain information must be supplied to police.
- Polygraph testing is used to interview registered sex offenders about areas of risk.
- Electronic monitoring – software is installed on the computers, tablets and phones of eligible sex offenders.
- Licence conditions are imposed by the parole board and probation service.
- Court orders are obtained to prohibit risk related behaviours and activities.
- Multi-agency meetings are held to share information and manage risk.
DI Hodgson added: “This attention to detail makes reoffending both unappealing and difficult.
“Compared to other offender types the overall reoffending rates for these managed offenders are extremely low.”
Police are highlighting the team’s work as part of Operation Movie 2. It has not revealed how many violent or registered sex offenders are in Cumbrian communities or the percentage which do reoffend. The constabulary has been contacted for comment.
