Dozens of suspected sex offenders in County Durham and Darlington under strict police monitoring
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Dozens of suspected sex offenders across County Durham and Darlington are being closely monitored by police thanks to the proactive use of civil orders.
Operation Trinity was launched in January last year and has transformed the way our officers manage sex offenders, helping to further protect vulnerable people from harm.
Under the new approach, officers who are investigating a suspect who is alleged to have committed a sexual offence can apply for civil orders to further protect the public from potential harm.
Sexual Risk Orders and Sexual Harm Prevention Orders run alongside a criminal investigation and can prevent suspects from doing certain things such as communicating with children and being around vulnerable people.
They must also have their social media accounts monitored and must comply with extensive and in-depth device checks.
Suspects do not have to be charged with an offence to be subject to an order and any suspect who is found to have breached these prohibitions can be arrested and potentially convicted.
The orders are managed by the force’s Management of Sexual and Violent Offenders’ Unit (MOSOVO) – a team of specialist police officers, detectives, and police staff investigators who are spread across the county and are responsible for the robust and complex management of offenders in the community.
Since the launch of Operation Trinity, 154 referrals have been submitted. Of these, 95 individuals have been referred to court.
Some of these orders are yet to be heard at court but there are currently 67 successful orders in place.
This means 67 people across the county who pose a risk of sexual harm are being closely managed by the unit.
The initiative is now being used by police forces up and down the country and Durham Constabulary have been named the national lead for identifying significant risk and the earliest opportunity.
It has also been widely supported by partners, including the College of Policing and the force’s legal services.
Detective Sergeant Richard Blamires, from Durham Constabulary’s MOSOVO and Operation Trinity lead, said: “This process ensures those who pose the highest risk of sexual harm are effectively managed in the community, even when there isn’t a conviction at court for a criminal offence.
“Operation Trinity has been running for a whole year and we have identified more than 60 people who, without this process, would have had no risk management in the community and could easily have reoffended.
“During last year, we saw a small number of order breaches which have resulted in further charges and prison sentences.
“Research now shows that Sexual Risk Orders are associated with a significant 84.5% reduction in sexual harm. This increases to 93.1% reduction in the case of high harm offenders which demonstrates that the process works, and we are keeping people safe.”
This week, we stand together to break the silence on sexual abuse and violence and raise awareness.
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual abuse, please tell us – call us on 101, or 999 if you are in immediate danger.
If you’d prefer not to speak to police, The Meadows Sexual Assault Referral Centre provides free, confidential healthcare and compassionate support anyone who has experienced sexual assault.
Call them on 0330 223 0099 or visit www.sarcdurham.co.uk
If you’re worried about a child, contact the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000, email [email protected], or visit www.nspcc.org.uk