South Yorkshire child rapists removed from sex offenders' register

South Yorkshire Police received 32 applications between September 2012 and January 2016, figures released following a Freedom of Information request reveal.

Of those applications, a total of 17 have been approved meaning those offenders are no longer being monitored by police.

Since September 2012 a change in the law has meant those convicted of sex offences can apply to have their names removed on the grounds they no longer pose a threat.

The offences committed by the 17 offenders removed from the register include three rapes, three rapes of a female under 16, one count of attempted rape and one count of sexual assault.

Other crimes include two of indecent assault on a female under 16, three of indecent assault on a female under 14, one indecent assault on a male under 16, two indecent assaults on a female 16 or over and one of gross indecency with a child.

Police confirmed no one who had been removed from the list had subsequently committed a sex crime.

Detective Chief Inspector Melanie Palin, from South Yorkshire Police, said: “A ruling in 2012 allowed registered sex offenders to apply to have their name removed from the National Sex Offenders Register.

“In line with Home Officer guidance any decision to remove an individual from the NSOR is subject to a rigorous examination of evidence and information from a range of organisations, so that a full picture of the risks to the public are considered.

“Sex offenders who continue to pose a risk to the public will remain on the register.”

Once removed from the list, offenders are no longer required to inform police about a change of address or when travelling abroad.

The change in the law came about in September 2012 when a human rights ruling came into effect allowing those on the register to apply to police forces for their name to be removed.