POLICE searching for a missing violent sex offender have received possible sightings in Whitby. 

The most recent sighting of Geoffrey Ball was on Tuesday, May 21, in the town centre area. 

He was convicted of an indecent assault of a female over 16 in 1989 and received six months in custody and was then jailed for five weeks in 2010 for sexual assault on a woman and placed on the Sex Offenders Register until 2017.

It is believed that he was wearing a navy blue hooded top, blue jeans and white trainers. He has also been seen in a black padded jacket.

Detective Inspector Kath Barber from Cleveland Police’s Public Protection Unit said: “We would like to thank members of the public for the response that we have had to our appeals so far.

“We’d ask that the public continue to contact us should they have any information regarding his whereabouts or should they think they may have seen this man.

“Clearly these reports suggest that he is travelling out of the Cleveland area.

"Officers are concerned as to the methods he may use to obtain cash to travel further. Police would ask members of the public to be aware of requests for cash from people not known to them personally. We are not sure of where he might be staying. He could be using hotels or B&B’s.

“Mr Ball has got previous convictions for violence which is why we would advise members of the public if they see him, not to approach him, but to call police immediately on 999.

“I would particularly urge people to be vigilant around social media sites as he uses them to make contact with people he doesn’t know.

“We are concerned because our officers take a proactive approach to managing offenders in the community and it is rare that we do not know where they are.

“We are therefore keen to trace Mr Ball as soon as possible and would urge anyone with information to contact us.”

Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is asked to contact police immediately on 999.