A NEW campaign is highlighting the "extraordinary" and unseen work of Cumbria Police to protect the public from violent and sexual offenders.

Lie-detector tests, computer monitoring software and tough court orders are just some of the tools being used by police officers and staff to assess and reduce the risk posed by sex offenders and other dangerous criminals, say senior officers.

Throughout this week, Cumbria Constabulary is lifting the lid on the measures being deployed as the force works with partner agencies to manage some of the county's most dangerous offenders.

Many have served long jail terms for appalling crimes. 

But in a bid to reassure the public, the force's new campaign will focus on the round-the-clock work of its team based at its 'Management of Sexual Offenders and Violent Offenders' (MOSOVO) unit.

Created within Cumbria Constabulary's Public Protection Unit, the department is staffed by uniformed officers, detectives and police staff investigators, all jointly responsible for what senior officers say is "robust and complex management" of registered sex offenders (RSO) and violent offenders in the community.

“Whilst dangerous offenders living in the community is an understandably emotive subject for many, people may be surprised to learn how incredibly tightly these offenders are managed," said Detective Inspector Martin Hodgson from the MOSOVO team.

“Working together and with partner agencies, my department undertakes a huge amount of work for every single registered sex offender released from prison.

"The lengths that our offender managers go to each time is extraordinary.

“Before an offender is released, their manager will already know every personal detail about them. Once they are released, they set about knowing how that person functions day to day – from exact daily routine, electronic devices they own, their relationships, vehicles, bank details and national insurance number – even their shoe size.”

The officer said that the necessary attention to detail that this work involves can make the task seem unappealing and difficult.

But the payback is improved public protection. DI Hodgson said: "Compared to other offender types, the overall reoffending rates for these managed offenders are extremely low. Over the coming weeks I look forward to sharing more information about the work of our MOSOVO department and specialist officers.”

In recent months, Cumbria's courts have heard about numerous cases where police offender managers have exposed the worrying behaviour of some sex offenders determined to continue offending. 

Last week, 59-year-old sex offender Keith Skillen, 59, of Broom Bank, Whitehaven, was jailed for flouting his sexual harm prevention order.

He did this by secretly using a computer at Whitehaven Library to access Facebook and Instagram - activity that was banned under the terms of his court order, imposed in 2018 after he admitted distributing indecent images of children.

His latest offending came to light after repeated interventions by the officers monitoring his behaviour after his release from jail - and also thanks to a tip-off from concerned library staff.

Cumbria's Head of Protection Lisa Thornton said: “The partnership work between police, probation and other critical agencies in Cumbria is impressive in its approach and culture.

"The teams work consistently and collaboratively, to join up their work to protect the public, and to make sure that the people we supervise are robustly managed on release and supported to engage in meaningful rehabilitation.

“We benefit from a network of policing and probation colleagues who understand their roles in public protection and diligently carry out their responsibilities in partnership.

"This campaign and its focus on the work of these teams, is positive for allowing the public the opportunity to see the work we do to protect them.”

Dangerous offenders are managed through several kinds of intervention. These include:

* Offender managers working to ensure those being monitored stay within the law.

* Risk-assessments and risk-management plans for offenders.

* Close monitoring of registered sex offenders.

* Lie-detector testing of sex offenders to explore the risk they pose. 

* Device monitoring using software for computers, tablets and phones.

* Information sharing with partner agencies to manage risk.

* And tough court orders to prevent risk-related behaviours

Cumbria's Chief Constable Michelle Skeer is the National Police Chief’s Council lead for MOSOVO. Police and Crime Commissioner Peter McCall said that the current campaign - called Operation Movie - will highlight the "comprehensive level of unseen policing work of the Constabulary’s MOSOVO."

He said: “The public can be assured that there is a very high level of scrutiny and rigorous safeguarding assessment and procedures put in place to manage sexual and violent offenders.

"Every aspect of a released offender’s life is monitored with risk assessments, management plans and strict notification requirements detailing the information which must be passed to the police, electronic monitoring is also deployed when ordered by the courts.

“Whilst the work of the MOSOVO team is not seen by the public, it is robustly in place and this should reassure the public that the police are working hard to keep them and their families safe.”

* If you are concerned someone is breaching the terms of their Sex Offender registration contact the police via the online reporting form www.cumbria.police.uk/reportit.

You can also call 101. Always dial 999 in an emergency.

To report information completely anonymously, contact independent charity CrimeStoppers, on 0800 555 111.

* If you are a victim of a sexual or violent offence the police would encourage you to report the offence so that safeguarding and support can be provided, and any crimes investigated. However, if you would live support without police involvement please contact Victim Support on 0300 303 0157. 

* If you worried about your own inappropriate thoughts or behaviour towards children support is available. Contact the Lucy Faithful Foundation on 0808 1000 900 or visit www.stopitnow.org.uk for more information and contact options.

* If you are concerned about your violent behaviour contact Victim Support for a range of self-referral, free services who can provide appropriate support to stop offending behaviour.