New figures reveal that the number of registered sex offenders living in Devon and Cornwall has increased by nearly 5 per cent in the past year.
Statistics from the Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangement (Mappa) show 920 offenders in the two counties, an increase from 879 in 2006.
The number of registered sex offenders in Plymouth jumped sixteen to 198, while in Cornwall and Isles of Scilly this figure surged by 26 to 332.
South and west Devon have 202 offenders on the register, and north and east Devon have 188 registered, according to Mappa.
There are 58 registered sex offenders per 100,000 of population in Devon and Cornwall, compared with a national average of 57 per 100,000.
Ian Clewlow, director of operations for the Devon and Cornwall Probation Service, told the BBC: "Individuals need to register where they live.
"If they go anywhere else for 40 days or more they are required to register there. If they do not they can be prosecuted."
comments
What do you think? Give us your opinion on the comments page.