AN MP is calling for funding for more police officers to keep track on sex attackers after new figures showed that the number of registered offenders has reached record levels.

Statistics have revealed that the number of registered sex offenders living in the county has soared by 63 per cent in the past six years.

In 2002/2003 there were 273 abusers living in local communities after the courts had ordered them to sign on the sex offenders’ register, compared to 446 in 2007/2008.

In neighbouring Hampshire, during the corresponding period, the figure rose from 849 to 1,155.

The latest Home Office statistics, uncovered by the Conservatives, were released by Shadow Police Minister David Ruffley, who described the trend as “worrying”.

Commenting on the figures, Supt Mark Cooper, Dorset police’s head of public protection and prevention, said: “A higher number on the sexual offenders’ register does not mean that there are more offenders in Dorset.

“What it does mean is that more offenders are subject, by law, to notification requirements – this puts them in a position to be monitored by Dorset Police and our partner agencies.

“Many sexual offenders must register for long periods of time with some offenders registering for life. This has a cumulative effect on the total number of offenders on the register at any one time – such an increase was always expected.”

Bournemouth East MP Tobias Ellwood described the figures as “alarmingly high,” and added: “My main concern is that we need more police officers, rather than fewer, to ensure these people are properly tracked.

“The number of officers has reduced when it should have increased to cope with many of the pressures facing the force, including monitoring sex offenders.”

Mr Ruffley said: “The increase is a sign of progress but it also underlines the need to allow police to do their jobs.

“As a result of this worrying trend there will be pressure on police time to keep an eye on these offenders in local communities. That is why it is all the more important to cut the amount of police time wasted on unnecessary bureaucracy.”