Violent and Sex Offender Register

In the United Kingdom, the Violent and Sex Offender Register (ViSOR) is a database of records of those required to register with the Police under the Sexual Offences Act 2003 (the 2003 Act), those jailed for more than 12 months for violent offences, and those thought to be at risk of offending. In response to a Freedom of Information request in 2009, for example, Greater Manchester Police reported that of 16 people in their area placed on ViSOR since 2007 on their initiative and not as a result of a relevant conviction, 4 (25%) had clean criminal records. The Register can be accessed by the Police, National Probation Service, and HM Prison Service personnel. Private companies running prisons are also granted access. It is managed by the National Policing Improvement Agency of the Home Office.

Notification Periods for offenders sentenced under the Act 2003:

• Imprisonment for a fixed period of 30 months or more, Imprisonment for an indefinite period, imprisonment for public protection, or admission to hospital under restriction order, or subject to an Order for Lifelong Restriction: Indefinitely
• Imprisonment for more than 6 months but less than 30 months: 10 years
• Imprisonment for 6 months or less, or admission to hospital without restriction order: 7 years
• Caution: 2 years
• Conditional discharge or (in Scotland) a probation order: Period of discharge or probation
• Any other: 5 years
• Finite notification periods are halved if the person is under 18 when convicted or cautioned.

In April 2010 the United Kingdom Supreme Court ruled that indefinite notification requirements contained in section 82(1) of the 2003 Act were a breach of individual human rights as they were disproportionate. As a result of this appeals against inclusion of the register were introduced. Appeals can be made after inclusion on the register for 15 years and are made to the local Police force. Sexual Offences Act 2003 (Remedial) Order 2012