Policing Of Sex Offenders Reviewed

Convicted sex offenders who come into Northern Ireland from outside the UK will have to immediately notify the police of their whereabouts.

That's part of a shake-up of the rules being proposed this week which will see the criminals handed a prison sentence under new ideas just published by the Government.

The NIO Criminal Justice Minister Paul Goggins (pictured) believes this proposed change to the existing Sexual Offences Act will strengthen existing protection arrangements and provide greater public reassurance.

Currently police must go to court and apply for a notification order if a convicted sex offender travels to Northern Ireland.

This proposal puts the responsibility on the offender to notify the police and failure to do so could result in a prison term of up to five years.

Paul Goggins said: "This new proposal will speed up the existing process and helps the police obtain details about a sex offender and where they are living, thereby enhancing the protection of the public and reducing the risk that the person may pose.

"Sex offenders travelling to Northern Ireland from outside the UK including the Republic of Ireland will not escape the law - if an offender fails to notify the police they could be prosecuted and could face a lengthy prison sentence," he said, noting that the proposal will tighten up existing arrangements by imposing notification requirements.

"It will reduce the threat posed by sex offenders who come to Northern Ireland," he concluded, adding that a policy document detailing the proposals has been issued for public consultation.

This proposal would have no impact on offenders who are convicted within any of the UK jurisdictions as they are all already subject to the notification requirements on conviction.

For the proposal to become effective, it would require fresh legislation in Parliament.

Meanwhile, there are moves for criminals to pay for improved services for victims under other new proposals also unveiled in the consultation document published today.

Up to £500,000 is expected to be paid into a new Victims of Crime Fund on an annual basis by offenders in addition to any sentence or penalty imposed.

The levy would be mandatory and applied to offenders across all types of sentences ranging in value between £5 and £30 depending on the disposal.

Paul Goggins said: "Victims and witnesses should be our top priority. They deserve the highest standards of support and services to help them come to terms with their ordeal and cope with the experience of court.

"The Government has already invested significant resources in delivering services for victims of crime.

"But offenders who cause the harm and anxiety experienced by victims also have a responsibility for making a financial contribution to the provision of key support," he said.

"The creation of a Victims of Crime Fund could generate £500,000 a year and would improve services to those victims who are facing the prospect of a court case as well as those supported by local groups in the community."

The policy consultation document on sex offenders is available to view and download from the consultation section on the Northern Ireland Office website: www.nio.gov.uk

(BMcC/GK)