Hundreds of sex offenders vanished in three year period across UK, shock figures show

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Hundreds of registered sex offenders across the UK have gone missing in a three-year window, shocking new figures have revealed.Data obtained by the BBC under the Freedom of Information Act revealed that a whopping 729 sex offenders had gone missing or were wanted for arrest from 2019-2021.

The broadcaster also collected figures from 21 forces that show 1,500 sex offenders had changed their name after they were convicted.Sex offenders must inform police if they decide to change their name prior to conviction, risking five years in prison if they fail to do so.

However, campaigners say despite the legality, it leaves abusers free to go on to re-offend in their new identity.Della Wright, who was abused at the age of six by a man who later changed his name and targeted more children, told the broadcaster that current criminal records checks provide a false sense of security.

She said the current system, which allowed her attacker Terry Price to change his name twice, is open to abuse."It shouldn't be for victims and survivors to beg Government to do something about this," she told the BBC. "We're still having to ask in 2023."Campaign group The Safeguarding Alliance says allowing offenders to change their name undermines laws that are designed to protect victims by allowing the police to provide information about criminals with histories of domestic violence or child abuse.It has highlighted the "serious safeguarding loophole" that it says "makes a mockery of the legal system".A Home Office spokesperson said: "Public protection is a priority for this Government and we have some of the toughest powers in the world to deal with sex offenders."To ensure registered sex offenders cannot hide their criminal past, they must notify