AN increasing number of convicted sex offenders in West Yorkshire are registering new names with the authorities, a Freedom of Information (FOI) has revealed. 

Figures from West Yorkshire Police show that in 2011-12, the number of sex offenders’ registration for any new name stood at 10, but reached a high of 63 in 2018-19.

The data shows there was a jump from 17 in 2016-17 to 33 in 2017-18, then to 63 in 2018-19. 

The figures remained high in the following years: 54 in 2019-20 and 49 in 2020-21. 

West Yorkshire Police said the increased use of ‘unofficial’ names could contribute to the rise seen over the last three years.

A spokesperson said: “Registerable sex offenders are required to notify the Force of any other name that they commonly use; this can include gaming or social network names as well as any other name they may commonly use either officially or unofficially. 

“The increased use of these “unofficial” names may well contribute to the rise in this notification type over the last three years.”

The figures also show the number of convictions for any breach of registration requirements.

There were 34 in 2011-12, rising to a high of 87 in 2018-19, dropping down to 76 in 2019-20 and 59 in 2020-21. 

Meanwhile, Philip Davies, Conservative MP for Shipley, has demanded the Government take action to close a legal loophole which he says enables sex offenders to change their name without first notifying the police and other authorities.

Mr Davies  said it was too easy for criminals to obtain new identities and that more needed to be done to protect the public.

He is backing an amendment to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill.

“People will be shocked to learn how easy it is for a convicted sex offender to change their identity,” he said.

“The whole point of having a sex offenders register is to keep the public safe but the fact someone can go underground and potentially commit further crimes and not be on the police’s radar beggar’s belief.

"People want to know the law is protecting them and if an offender can simply change their name to evade detection, that is putting innocent people in harm’s way. 

“These are potentially very dangerous criminals that can go on to commit further crimes, without restrictions imposed on them under the sex offenders register or by the authorities due to their previous convictions."

Mr Davies said Government figures show more than 16,000 offenders breached the requirement for them to inform authorities of their new name within threedays in the last five years, and that research by the Safeguarding Alliance revealed police have no idea of the location of 905 sex offenders.

A spokesperson for the Home Office said: “Protecting the public is our top priority. The UK has some of the toughest powers in the world to deal with sex offenders living in the community.

“Registered sex offenders are legally required to inform the police if they change their name, and failure to do so is a criminal offence, punishable by a maximum of 5 years’ imprisonment.

"However, we are working with the courts and the Disclosure and Barring Service to ensure the system is as robust as it can be to keep the public safe.”