MAPPA Annual Report 2008/09
26/10/2009
People in Sussex can be assured they are being offered the best possible protection from society's most dangerous offenders.
Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) in England and Wales were put in place eight years ago to provide more robust management systems for offenders living in the community through the sharing of knowledge and expertise.
MAPPA involves police, probation, prison, local authorities and other relevant agencies working together closely and sharing information to ensure the risks posed to the public by violent and sexual offenders are minimised.
The Sussex MAPPA annual report, published today (October 26), provides statistical information on MAPPA offenders, explains how they are managed and provides examples of where multi-agency working has been successful in protecting the public.
Sonia Crozier, Chief Officer of Sussex Probation Area, said: "We recognise the risk can never be entirely eliminated when supervising difficult and dangerous individuals but the information in today's annual report testifies the vast majority of those subject to active MAPPA controls do not seriously re-offend as a result of our robust and effective management."
Sussex Police Chief Constable Martin Richards said: "Effective MAPPA work is crucial in helping safeguard the public. The police role of supervising registered sex offenders and others in the community, working with our partners, is a priority task and our full-time teams of police officers and staff are proving to be an invaluable contribution to public protection."
As set out in the report, MAPPA in Sussex has been strengthened in several areas this year. Earlier this year an agreement was finalised between the main MAPPA authorities and local partners including children's services, housing departments, health services, registered social landlords, youth offending teams and Job Centre Plus. The Memorandum of Understanding sets out procedures for assessing and managing risk and sharing information and should further reduce the risk of serious harm to the public from offenders.
Fiona Johnson, Head of Children's Safeguards & Quality Assurance at East Sussex County Council said: "We recognise the importance of MAPPA in helping to develop close working relationships with local partner agencies and therefore strengthening safeguarding procedures in Sussex; helping to protect our children."
Download this year's annual report here (PDF, 503 KB, opens in new browser window).
