There are nine sex offenders wanted in the North East currently on the run, according to new data released by Northumbria Police. Of the nine currently wanted, two are believed to be abroad.
A freedom of information request by SGM reveals that in the last three years, the police recorded over two thousand sexual offenders.
In 2020, there were 2276 registered cases. The number rose to 2353 in 2021, and by 2022, it reached 2505. This shows a significant increase in recorded cases in the area, including those currently in custody.
Detective Chief Inspector Alan Pitchford, of Northumbria Police’s Safeguarding Department, said: “As a Force, we take a proactive approach to effectively manage offenders in our area, including those convicted of sexual, violent, and other dangerous offences.
“We do this through our specially-trained officers and by working alongside specialised support services, including the local authorities and probation. By managing offenders in this way, we can continue to effectively fight crime and keep people safe in collaboration with other agencies. “For the minority of offenders whose whereabouts are unknown, it is important to stress that these individuals are likely in breach of their conditions and are subsequently treated as a wanted person.
Detective Alan Pitchford said each case is regularly reviewed, and extensive enquiries are carried out alongside the forces’ partners to ensure that their location can be confirmed.”
Elaine Burns, spokesperson for Northumbria Victim and Witness Service Gateshead, said: “We are committed to working in close partnership with a range of statutory and non-statutory Community Safety stakeholders to ensure that Gateshead remains safe. This includes working with providers, such as Northumbria Victim and Witness Service, to ensure we promote advice and support services within our area to help safeguard and support our residents.
Ms Burns said the Northumbria Victim and Witness Service will always collaborate, where possible, with law enforcement and other appropriate agencies to ensure the safety and well-being of both victims and the broader community within Gateshead.
Dr Sonia Ahmed, a counselling Psychologist in Sunderland said sexual assault can have a devastating impact on both the victim and the community. Victims of sexual assault may experience a range of psychological and emotional consequences, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This can include flashbacks, nightmares, difficulty sleeping, irritability, and avoidance of situations that remind the person of the assault, depression, anxiety, anger amongst other things.
“A few psychological strategies and interventions that can be employed to help community members cope with the anxiety and fear that may arise when sex offenders’ whereabouts are classified as unknown by the police include providing community members with information about sex offenders and the risks they pose can help to reduce anxiety and fear. Support groups, and therapies such as Cognitive-behavioral therapy.
“It is important to note that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to coping with the anxiety and fear that can arise when sex offenders’ whereabouts are classified as unknown by the police. The best approach will vary depending on the individual’s needs and circumstances.”
Sunderland resident Sheba Oke said: “When the whereabouts of sex offenders in the area have been classified as unknown, as a parent it is tough not to worry. Personally, as a mother, my worry would be about the safety of my children, which could lead to me being anxious and heightened vigilance.
“For example, there could possibly be a new house and visit policy. I may feel compelled to restrict their activities and movements, such as limiting outdoor playtime, walking to school, or attending community events, to minimise the potential risk. They definitely would be uncomfortable with the home policy if it does get to that point. But I would do well to communicate with them, particularly the female so that she and her siblings understand why things are the way they are.
“No doubt, the police are doing their job, but the motherly instinct will not let
me careless or not bother at all,” she added. Toby Olanigba, Sunderland resident said: “As much as I am not sure under what category the sex offenders fall, merely knowing that they are untraceable makes me feel vulnerable and on edge. Automatically, I want to stay alert and try not to put myself in a position to be a victim of any sort.”
The 26-year-old female said going out alone, especially at night, jogging, walking, on lonely paths socializing, or socialising with people I barely know would be reduced. “The police are aware of this situation obviously. I want to believe extra work is done to keep people safe. Installing security measures in her homes, which most families may not be able to afford would be another precautionary measure,” she added.
Dr. Mma Yeebo, a Clinical Psychologist in Gateshead said in cases where the locations of convicted sexual offenders are unknown, there are undoubtedly several potential issues which include the risks to communities, and society. These risks she said include further offending of crimes of a similar nature, in fact, one study found that 61.8% of individuals convicted of a sexual offence went on to re-offend over 5, 10, and 15-year follows ups. “There are risks in relation to society and a community’s ability to feel safe if this person’s whereabouts are unknown, especially for those directly impacted by the crime(s) they have committed.
It is very important to be aware that different sexual offences can have different offending profiles, but we are aware that with sexual offences survivors are more likely to know the victim. Therefore, offenders can sometimes know intimate details about the survivor, which has a direct impact on the survivors’ feelings of safety when their whereabouts are unknown.
“Risks exist for how much trust individuals have in the police, and criminal justice system (CJS) as a whole. Offenders whose whereabouts are unknown may be interpreted as failings on the part of the CJS and may pose a reputational risk for these services and may lead to a lack of trust, or faith in these institutions and their ability to manage such offences. This is especially significant due to the low conviction rates for sexual offences in the UK. “Stigma is a significant consideration and is one of the reasons that survivors do not speak out, or report crimes when they have been victimised.
Therefore, society and communities can do a lot to address this, by speaking about these issues more openly.