AYR ADVERTISER: AYR IS TOP OF THE LIST FOR SEX OFFENDERS IN AYRSHIRE

From the Ayr Advertiser:

AYR tops the list for the highest number of sex criminals in Ayrshire – with 74 offenders recorded as residing in the community.

Shocking new figures reveal that as of February this year, 340 paedophiles, rapists and sex pests are currently known to be living in Ayrshire.

Figures, released by Police Scotland under the Freedom of Information act, state Ayr tops the list for registered sex criminals living in the community – higher than both Kilmarnock and Irvine.

However, the MP for Ayr, Carrick, and Cumnock has said only a small number pose a risk to the public.

There are currently 74 registered sex offenders in Ayr, with the KA7 area, including Alloway, housing 24, while the KA8 area has 50.

The Annbank and Mossblown postcode area (KA6 5) has three.

Three sex offenders live in Prestwick (KA9 1) with another three resident in Monkton (KA9 2).

Nine sex offenders live in the Troon and Barassie postcodes, with six in KA10 6 and three in KA10 7, while another four live in Symington (KA1 5).

A total of 17 registered sex offenders live throughout the Carrick area.

Maybole has nine offenders, with eight in the KA19 7 area, also including Kirkmichael, Crosshill and Straiton, with one in KA19 8 area, which also covers Kirkoswald and Minishant.

In the south of Carrick, the Girvan postcode of KA26 9, including Maidens, Turnberry, Barr, Daily and Old Daily has two, while the KA26 0 postcode, which also takes in Barrhill, Pinwherry, Pinmore, Ballantrae, Lendalfoot and Colmonell has six.

Dalrymple and Coylton postcode area of KA6 6 has two, with another two in Tarbolton (KA5 5).

The figures, released under the Freedom of Information act give numbers of Registered Sex Offenders resident in the post code area as of February 9, 2018.

Conservative MP Bill Grant said: “I realise that the thought of someone being a risk to a loved one or family member would be distressing.

“The figures appear to reflect the population spread in Ayrshire, rather than to indicate that a particular community has a greater problem than another.

“Anyone with information indicating a child could be at risk of harm should contact the police or social work department.”