Nearly 700 paedophiles and sex offenders are now being monitored across Northern Ireland, it was revealed today.
The rising level of offenders living within the community includes four the authorities believe pose a high risk of trying to inflict serious harm on others.
And it does not include almost 80 more who are either still in jail for their predatory crimes or else facing prosecution over suspected attacks.
With the Northern Ireland Sex Offender Strategic Management Committee's annual report confirming south Belfast has the biggest proportion under scrutiny, a top police officer insisted the best possible safety checks were in place.
Assistant Chief Constable Drew Harris, the committee's chairman, said: "Protection of the public is the top priority for all of the agencies involved and I can assure the public that there is now a well-defined system in place, coupled with real commitment to working together, to make Northern Ireland's homes, streets and communities safer for all our families."
The report, Managing the Risk, outlines the work of the committee, which includes senior representatives from the police, probation, prisons and social services, along with the Housing Executive, various government departments and voluntary agencies.
Among the new initiatives outlined in it are a pilot study to examine a model for assessing risk developed by specialists in Canada, and a victims' sub-group established to help address issues of greatest concern to victims and survivors of sexual violence and abuse.
The dossier also confirms 687 men and three women in Northern Ireland were on the sex offenders register by the end of March. A rise of 70 (11 per cent) on last year, the higher number subjected to notification requirements was largely due to new convictions.
As well as confirming six failed to comply, 30 Sexual Offences Prevention Orders (SOPOs), and nine Risk of Sexual Harm Orders (RSHOs) were granted during 2006/07.