THE number of registered sex offenders on Teesside has reached record levels, according to figures from The Teesside Violent and Sex Offenders Unit.

Since last year there has been a 20 per cent increase in the number being tracked by the unit, which is now keeping tabs on 393 registered sex offenders compared with 330 a year ago.

Police and probation chiefs say the rise is because of changes in the Sex Offences Act which means more offences carry registration as part of court punishments.

Inspector Mick Walker, head of Cleveland Police's public protection unit, said: "The increase in the number of people on the register doesn't mean there are more sexual predators in our communities.

"It stems from the fact that more offences require names to be registered, which prevents such people from disappearing and enables us to keep a close eye on their whereabouts."

Lucia Saiger, assistant chief officer with Teesside Probation Service, said the trend will continue in line with legislation.

"The number will continue to rise because there are more sex offenders registering under the registration act. But there is no evidence to suggest that there are more sex offenders on the streets of Teesside."