THERE are 335 registered sex offenders in Warrington and Halton.

Statistics released by police following a request under Freedom of Information legislation by the Warrington Guardian show that numbers of sex offenders in the area have risen over the past two years.

In 2008, 232 sex offenders were registered as living in the area.

That figure increased to 261 in 2009, with a further 74 added in either Warrington or Halton as of March this year.

Figures came from the annual reports of the Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA), an organisation comprising police, prison and probation services to manage sex offenders living in the community.

A spokesman for the organisation said: “Making our communities safer through public protection arrangements remains our highest priority. It is never possible to eliminate risk entirely.

“However, what can be expected is that all reasonable steps are taken to reduce the risk of serious harm to the public from known sex offenders.”