Less than five percent of sex offenders being monitored in the Lothian and Borders region in the past year went on to reoffend.

Figures released today reveal a total of 710 offenders were monitored under Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements over the past 12 months.

More than 95% complied with their registration requirements and did not re-offend.

Of the 10 cases where people being monitored were convicted of re-offending, five were non-contact offences and two related to previous offences.

Local authority criminal justice social workers reported 12 offenders who were returned to prison for breaching their licence conditions, and a further 30 were reported for breaching conditions, but were able to remain in the community.

Lothian and Borders Police arrested eight offenders who were returned to prison for breach of their Sexual Offences Prevention Order prohibitions.

Michelle Miller, Chief Social Work Officer at the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “It is encouraging that such a pro-active approach to monitoring and controlling sex offenders in the community is being taken by the agencies signed up to the MAPPA framework.

“Public protection is always the main concern of public services delivery, and this report details what has been done over the past year to ensure the risk posed by sex offenders is kept to an absolute minimum.

“Now in its second year of reporting, it is apparent that we have a very robust method of dealing with sex offenders in our communities, and although the risks posed can never be fully eliminated, we want to reassure the public that these individuals are under closer scrutiny than ever before.”

Commenting on the reports, Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said: "Sexual offences are not a modern day phenomenon.  The sad reality is that sex offenders and the threat they pose have existed for all of human history.  But what has improved is the way in which they are managed.   

"MAPPAs have strengthened how police, social work and other agencies work together to assess, monitor and reduce risks posed by convicted sex offenders.  While they can't always be foreseen or eliminated, these agencies are working increasingly effectively to identify and minimise risks and protect the public.
 
"Today's reports are evidence that the comprehensive joint approach delivered through MAPPAs are working in practice.  They clearly demonstrate that when sex offenders breach their conditions, it is dealt with swiftly."