Six sex offenders 'missing' in West Mercia Police force area
Six registered sex offenders are currently "missing" in the West Mercia Police force area which includes Shropshire - including one whose whereabouts has been unknown for eight years.
Another sex offender in the area had been missing for six years, one for four years, two went missing 18 months ago and another disappeared five months ago.
The latest figures have been revealed as the result of a Freedom of Information request sent to every police force in the country.
Forces which provided figures for February or early March said the information was "dynamic" and would change as arrests were made or new cases came to light through "proactive intelligence led policing or routine visits to registered offenders".
Every force to respond, including West Mercia, refused to name the missing sex offenders over fears of vigilante attacks or because the information was exempt under data protection laws.
Dyfed Powys Police said one registered sex offender was missing but refused to say when their whereabouts became unknown.
West Midlands Police said 39 registered sex offenders were classed as missing. They included one who disappeared in 2006, nine offenders who went missing between 2010 and 2012, another nine who had been missing since 2013, 14 since 2014 and six since 2015.
Warwickshire Police said six sex offenders were missing, including four who disappeared last year, one in 2011 and one in 2009.
