NEW figures reveal there are hundreds of sex offenders and violent criminals walking the streets of Wiltshire.

Statistics released by the county police force and probation service reveal 469 criminals are being monitored countywide, with 13 sex offenders cautioned or convicted for breaking strict rules designed to keep the public safe.

In the first three months of this year 50 violent and sexual offenders in the county were referred to the highest form of risk management, under the Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA).

This is a 42 per cent increase on the number referred to the Multi Agency Public Protection Panel (MAPPP) in the previous eight months.

The panel's key aim is to risk-assess and monitor some of the county's most dangerous offenders.

Under the stringent arrangements, involving police, probation, housing agencies and social services, the risk each offender poses is assessed and an action-plan drawn-up.

A risk-assessment plan can include reporting schedules, police surveillance, electronic tagging and curfew orders.

Wiltshire police applied for and were granted five Sex Offenders Orders from April 2002 to March 2003 while nine offenders were returned to custody for breaching their licence. One man was jailed for breaching a Sexual Offenders Order while another registered offender was charged with a further serious sexual or violent assault.

Det Chief Supt Paul Howlett said the system was working well in its second official year with more agencies inputting information to keep the public safe.

"The whole driving force behind the system is the protection of the community.

"Clearly the best way to manage any risk is to talk with partners and share information which together collaborates to ensure robust action plans are put in place.

"I think the inclusion of more agencies will bring about benefits but that doesn't mean we have not already been talking to them."

The Sarah's Law debate calling for the naming of paedophiles sparked by the brutal murder of Sussex schoolgirl Sarah Payne is still hot on the agenda.

DCS Howlett said the law would only drive paedophiles underground and prevent police from monitoring them effectively.

Wiltshire police only reveal the identity of perverts to a third party if they pose a serious risk to the public.

Officers alerted the Singapore Authorities about a registered sex offender working for them and also a Wiltshire school about a teacher's conviction for internet child pornography.