Time to get tough on sex offenders says council

ANGRY calls are being made for tougher laws and the identity of sex offenders to be made public.

On Tuesday night (9th), councillors expressed horror after Public Protection figures revealed there are three offenders living in North Down who fall into the second highest risk category.

Authorities monitoring the individuals have clear evidence that the ex-convicts are capable of causing serious harm to the public, it was explained.

Public Protection NI´s William McCauley revealed the figures during a presentation to North Down Borough Council´s corporate committee on Tuesday night.

But he warned councillors that the most dangerous sex offenders are ones yet to offend.

Independent Councillor Austen Lennon said anyone known to be posing such a risk should not be in society.

"From paedophilia through to rape, sex offences are so serious, they ruin lives and I don’t think the laws are strong enough," he said.