POLICE in Cumbria have released an interview with a registered sex offender, with him describing how supervision has helped him stop abusing children.

The interview has been published as part of the force's online child protection campaign.

There are currently 524 registered sexual offenders (RSOs) living in the community in the county who are managed by Cumbria Constabulary.

Legislation and multi-agency public protection arrangements provide the MOSOVO unit (the police unit that manages sexual and violent offenders) with tools to manage offenders and risk assess situations.

Nine years of supervision

'Jonathan' - whose name has been changed - was convicted for child sex offences committed outside Cumbria in the late 1990s, and has spoken of the value of his supervision.

He has been managed by the MOSOVO unit for nine years since moving to the county.

In an interview with police, he said: "My feelings and desires grew towards children and by my late teens I had sort out the close company on my target group.

"I became popular with my target group and enjoyed the power and control that I had over them.

"I started to test the boundaries of how far they would let me go which fuelled my fantasies which I then started to act out.

"One of the main things I have learned is never to be complacent. I know that I am not 'cured' and therefore need to be vigilant of my thoughts, actions and fantasies.

"I have several coping strategies to encompass most eventualities. The main one being a highly tuned empathy for my victims but also not wanting to let people down who have put their trust and support in me.

"In my experience I would have been more of a danger to the public without the offender managers.

"My supervising officer has not only been that figure of conscience on my shoulder, but also an invaluable support in helping me to integrate back into society with a strong chance on never offending again.

"I know that I must never forget what I am capable of and will always value the supervision and help that has been given."

Jonathan has to manage his desires in a modern age where websites and apps are used by child sex offenders to engage with children.

New technology

Jonathan added: "Relevant technology was not available at the time of my offences but now is an easily accessible tool for an offender and something I am fully aware of. I knew little or nothing about computers and smart phones prior to serving my sentence but time inside didn't help by hearing from other prisoners about what, who and how things can be accessed.

"When times are low there is always that temptation to use these tools to offend and that is why I am a very strong believer in monitoring devices being used to not just detect use, but also to form an extra layer of support.

"I would have welcomed this added restriction on my freedom and would have seen it as a benefit and not a hindrance."

Detective Inspector Helen Harkins, who leads Cumbria Constabulary's MOSOVO unit, said: "Jonathan has worked very hard to empathise with his victims and understands the triggers associated to his offending. It is interesting and encouraging to hear his experiences and his opinion on the value of Cumbria MOSOVO and how it has supported him.

"Sex offender management is an unseen side of policing but one that is crucial in protecting the public from harm."