Commenting after her written question about the 24 sex offenders in Scotland whose whereabouts are unknown was answered by the Justice Minister, Margaret Mitchell MSP, Scottish Conservative Justice spokesman, said:
“It is unacceptable that this information is not held centrally, but equally concerning is that Cathy Jamieson and the Executive miss the point with this issue. These people, wherever they are, have deliberately slipped under the radar, which was not a condition they agreed to when they went on the Sex Offenders Register.
“Recently, someone in exactly these circumstances was charged with the murder of Angelika Kluk in Glasgow. Given this fact, it should sound alarm bells for the 24 who are still at large and whose identities are still unknown. If a person contrives to disobey the conditions agreed with the police, then it is reasonable to assume they pose a threat to local communities.
““Protection of the public is paramount and if the public can play a role in tracing the whereabouts of these offenders, then we must consider making their details public. I would also urge the authorities to let their victims know they are at large, if this has not been done already.”
Notes to Editors
Below is the question Margaret asked and the response she received
Margaret Mitchell (Central Scotland) (Con):
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide the names of the 24 inpiduals on the sex offenders’ register whose whereabouts are unknown and list the offences to which they were found guilty of committing.
(S2W-28942)
Cathy Jamieson:
The information requested is not held centrally. Disclosure of information about sex offenders is best undertaken on a case by case basis and will be considered by the police, in consultation with other agencies, as part of their public protection responsibilities.
SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE