DORSET Police have released 36 sex offenders with only a caution over the past four years.

This includes 13 sex offenders being cautioned between the start of April last year and the end of January this year.

A police caution is a formal warning that is given to a person that has admitted to an offence but is not classed as a conviction, as only a court can convict a person of an offence.

The figures, obtained by the Dorset Echo through the Freedom of Information Act, includes adult cautions, simple cautions and youth cautions and show that between June 18, 2012 and January 31, 2016, a total of 36 cautions were handed out.

Peter Cuthbertson, chief executive at the Centre for Crime Prevention, said: "These figures reflect poorly on Dorset Police. This government has committed to tackling the massive overuse of cautions, but these figures show work still needs to be done.

“Cautions should be for very minor, first time offenders, never serious criminals such as sex offenders."

However, Dorset Police have said that a caution does have serious implications for the offender.

Detective Inspector Neil Philips, of Dorset Police’s child abuse investigation team, said: “The term 'sexual offences' covers a significant range of crimes. The response to each case is dependent on a wide range of factors including the nature of the offence, the welfare and views of the victim, whether there had been a clear admission of guilt and the age of the individuals involved.

"Cautions for the most serious offences are only used in exceptional circumstances, and with advice of the Crown Prosecution Service.

“It is important to recognise that a caution is a legitimate criminal justice outcome, with real sanctions attached, such as being placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register and the resulting risk management that follows. It has long-term implications, such as notification on pre-employment checks.”

Sexual offences cover a range of offences from rape to voyeurism.

Poundbury resident, Margaret Morrissey, who founded the Parents Outloud group, called on the need for a change in the law.

She said: "This highlights the need for a change in the law which does not allow known sex offenders to reside in the community.

"It is only a matter of time before a more serious offence occurs and we will hear words like 'lesson must be learnt'.

"We know the problem so act now before one more child is approached and scarred often for life.

"Sex offending is an illness and should be treated as such, secure accommodation should be found by all councils and sex offenders at all times tagged."