Exclusive:The number of registered sex offenders known to be missing from South Yorkshire revealed
A freedom of information request submitted by The Star to South Yorkshire Police shows how many registered sex offenders are on the loose
The Star can reveal the number of registered sex offenders who are known to be missing from South Yorkshire, as an MP warned a name change loophole is still being exploited.
A total of 12 registered sex offenders (RSOs) were missing from the region at the end of May 2026, a freedom of information request submitted by The Star to South Yorkshire Police shows.
A year earlier, at the end of May 2025, 10 registered sex offenders were missing from the South Yorkshire area. This compares with 12 missing registered sex offenders at the end of May 2024 and 13 at the end of May 2023.
Responding to the figures, a South Yorkshire Police spokesperson warned the data “represents a snapshot in time,” adding that the number of RSOs classed as missing “amounts to around half a per cent of the total number of RSOs managed within our communities across South Yorkshire.”
The force spokesperson said the majority of RSOs classed as missing or wanted are “short term” cases, with the remainder said to be longer-term missing or wanted individuals who are believed to be out of the country.
Since 2020, MP for Rotherham, Sarah Champion, has been campaigning with victims and survivors to close a loophole which, she argues, allows RSOs to change their name to avoid detection, and go on to reoffend.
Ms Champion said they show the issue of sex offenders changing their name to avoid detection still needs to be resolved, adding that “no-one should be surprised when sex offenders use every loophole to continue abusing.”
She continued: “For years, I’ve been warning successive governments that, unless they close the loophole that allows RSO to change their name by deed poll, this will be exploited.
“I remember raising my concerns with a former Rotherham police chief who confirmed that, with a new name, offenders can just disappear.
“Currently, the responsibility is on the sex offender to notify the authorities of a name change or face jail. Clearly, this is isn't happening.
“Expecting a registered sex offender to do the right thing is, quite simply, delusional. I've explained the problem, and provided solutions, to countless Ministers - but this new data shows it is still an issue that needs to be resolved.
“My biggest concern is, with a new name, offenders are able to secure a clean DBS check - which means our safeguarding system isn't fit for purpose.”
The name change loophole was due to be closed through an amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill scheduled for May 2024, under the previous Government, but this did not proceed due to the General Election being called.
Under the new Government, Ms Champion tabled an amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill, seeking to strengthen clauses to prevent RSOs changing their name without giving adequate notice. The amendment received cross-party support, avoiding a vote, and the Crime and Policing Bill is now in the House of Lords.
A South Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: “The figures within the data represent a snapshot in time of a constantly moving picture. The number of Registered Sex Offenders (RSOs) classed as missing amounts to around half a per cent of the total number of RSOs managed within our communities across South Yorkshire.
“The majority of RSOs classed as missing or wanted are ‘short term’ cases. This can include those who have, for example, failed to attend a scheduled appointment at a police station on a certain date.
“The small remainder are longer-term missing or wanted individuals, who following appropriate enquiries are believed to be out of the country.
“Enquiries are regularly refreshed to establish the likely location of these individuals to ensure the risk is reduced to our communities and to bring them to justice.
“We have a dedicated VISOR (Violent and Sex Offender Register) team in each of our four policing districts - Sheffield, Rotherham, Barnsley and Doncaster. Each RSO living in the community has an allocated ‘manager’ in their local VISOR team. This manager will know them well and monitors and reviews risk on a regular basis. We also work closely with partner agencies including the Probation Service and carry out unannounced visits where appropriate to help manage risk.
“When an RSO is flagged as missing or wanted, their ‘manager’ will begin the process of making contact and locating them. The RSO will also be circulated on PNC – a national police system – as a further tactic to help ensure they are swiftly located.”
TOMORROW: We reveal how many RSOs are living in South Yorkshire.