Information about the sex offenders register

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.23.030753

I note you seek access to the following information:

*New request*
You kindly suggest it might be possible to supply information answering some of my questions but not number 4. I would be grateful for any information you can provide answering the other questions.

Alternatively, if I need to submit a new FOI request, I can refocus my questions as below:

For each of the past five calendar years that you have data available, can you specify:

1. How many sex offenders were registered with the force and subject to indefinite notification requirements (ie they were on the “sex offenders register")?

2. How many individuals applied to have those indefinite notification requirements revoked (ie to be “removed from the sex offenders register"?)

3. Separately are you able to provide a snapshot of the current number of missing registered sex offenders?

Decision

I have today decided to disclose the located information to you in full.

Please find below information pursuant to your request above.

Q1 - How many sex offenders were registered with the force and subject to indefinite notification requirements (ie they were on the “sex offenders register")?

The number of sex offenders registered with MPS and subject to indefinite notification requirements (i.e. on the Sex Offenders Register):
• 2023 – 11,349
• 2022 – 10,982
• 2021 – 10,741
• 2020 – 10,669
• 2019 – 10,798

Q2 - How many individuals applied to have those indefinite notification requirements revoked (ie to be “removed from the sex offenders register"?)

The number of individuals who applied to have those indefinite notification requirements revoked (i.e., to be removed from the Sex Offenders Register):

• 2023 – 21
• 2022 – 136
• 2021 – 144
• 2020 –119
• 2019 – 100

The number of successful applications:
• 2023 – 21
• 2022 – 127
• 2021 – 106
• 2020 – 94
• 2019 – 90

Q3 - Separately are you able to provide a snapshot of the current number of missing registered sex offenders?

The number of individuals on the Register who went missing:

Please note that if the MPS does not have an up-to-date address and we are unable to locate them, they have breached their notification requirements and will be liable to prosecution. These offenders will be classified as ‘wanted by the police’ rather than ‘missing.

As of 01 April each year, the MPS had the following number of ‘wanted’ offenders:
• As of 1 April 2023 – 218
• As of 1 April 2022 – 220
• As of 1 April 2021 – 226
• As of 1 April 2020 – 244
• As of 1 April 2019 – 254