Offenders: Sexual Offences

The notification requirements in Part 2 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 are an automatic consequence of a conviction for a sexual offence in Schedule 3 to that Act. Offenders subject to the notification requirements must notify the police of (among other things) any new name within three days of using it.

In addition to the notification requirements, courts may make civil orders (upon application by the police) to place restrictions (including on internet use) and/or requirements on individuals to prevent sexual harm to the public.

• Sexual harm prevention orders (SHPOs) can be applied to anyone convicted or cautioned for a sexual or violent offence, including where offences are committed overseas; and
• Sexual risk orders can be applied to any individual who poses a risk of sexual harm in the UK or abroad, even if they have never been convicted.

Data on the number of registered sex offenders, the number of breaches of notification requirements, and the number of civil SHPOs made is published annually in the Ministry of Justice’s Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements. The most recent statistics, published on 31 October showed 6,093 SHPOs were made in 2023/4. Data is not currently collected centrally on specific restrictions in civil orders other than foreign travel restrictions.

As part of our mission to halve violence against women and girls in a decade, we will help ensure the police relentlessly pursue and manage those perpetrators who pose the greatest risk to women. Data is not collected centrally on the volume of sex offenders that change their name.