65 sex offenders living in ceredigion Sexual Abuser

THERE are a staggering 65 registered sex offenders living in Ceredigion, the Cambrian News can reveal.

The disturbing figures were released by Dyfed-Powys Po-lice after the Cambrian News made a request under the Freedom of Information Act.

But the police would not say how many of the sex offenders were paedophiles, saying it was too costly and time-consuming to obtain the information.

A similar request by the Cambrian News revealed that there were only 33 registered sex offenders living in the whole of neighbouring Meirionnydd and Dwyfor.

Aberystwyth mayor Dylan Lewis said the residency of sex offenders in the county was “an emotive issue”.

“There is no doubt that registered sex offenders pose a dilemma for the authorities,”said Cllr Lewis.

“It would be interesting to know how the figure of 65 sex offenders living in Ceredigion compares with neighbouring counties, such as Powys and Carmarthenshire.

“I can see why members of the public might want more transparency as far as sex offenders are concerned, which would, possibly, increase public confidence in the system.

But there is also a danger of public order of-fences resulting from too much transparency.” The police say they do not have a Sex Offenders Register, but monitor and store information about individuals who have a requirement under the Sexual Offences Act to notify their whereabouts to the police.

And the risk posed to the public by registered sex offenders is monitored by the Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements which involves the Probation Service, HM Prison Service, the police, and the local authority.