Sex offender fears

Published 26 May 2010 14:27

FEARFUL parents have spoken of their concern that a sex offender is living close to a local primary school.

Residents have contacted The Gazette in recent weeks after hearing a rumour the criminal is living near Howwood Primary School.

He was released from prison recently after committing a crime that had him placed on the Sex Offenders Register.

And parents are calling on police and council chiefs to release more details of the nature of the crime committed.

One parent from the village said: "I'm not happy with the thought of him staying there.

"A few of the parents have stopped letting their children walk to school alone because of this."

Another parent whose child attends the school said: "Maybe the guy is low risk - they have to put him somewhere but we need to know exactly what the guy done. "How much of it is fact and how much is not? We just don't know."

Police have confirmed they are aware of a sex offender in the area.

A spokesperson said: "Sex offenders are monitored in the community under the Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) which involve the police service, local authorities, the NHS, Scottish Prison Service and other partners.

"None of the partners engaged in MAPPA will comment on specific cases or individuals.

"The management of sex offenders in the community is a particularly sensitive and complex area of work.

"Public safety is always the main priority in all cases.

"Whilst it remains the main priority, a balance is required between public safety and the right of the individual.

"All aspects of cases are carefully considered at every stage of the process, from psychological and risk assessments to places of residence and potential security issues.

"A number of measures can be put in place to manage offenders in the community and these are monitored by dedicated police officers and officials from partner organisations."

Children at the school were giving a talk on stranger danger only last week.

However police have confirmed that this was just a coincidence and all school children are given these talks throughout the year.

A Renfrewshire Council spokesperson said they were unable to comment on individual cases but stated:

"In general people who have committed crimes and served their sentences are released into the community.

"Both social work, the police and any other agency involved with such offenders take their responsibility to manage and intervene with such individuals very seriously.

"Public and child protection is paramount."

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This article appeared in The Gazette 26 May 10

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