A convicted paedophile, who was forced out of a village by angry neighbours, may now be even more of a risk to the public according to police, writes Tim Hughes.

The offender, who was convicted for a sexual offence against a juvenile, left his home in Cholsey, near Wallingford, days after a public protest meeting was called.

The man, who has not been named, has since left the county.

But Det Chief Insp Keith Ringsell, head of Thames Valley Police's Family Protection Unit, said officers no longer knew where he was - making him more of a risk. Mr Ringsell, who is responsible for the risk assessment of sex offenders, said that while the man was in Cholsey, neighbours had known who he was and could take steps to avoid him.

He said: "This man has now moved away and is not in touch with us, so the risk has increased.

"The risk may have decreased for Cholsey but it has increased for the rest of the public."

Mr Ringsell said he was disappointed that the police had lost the opportunity to work with him.

He said: "The man left of his own free will but it was as a result of the pressure of public feeling against him. I regret that he was forced to leave the village but I understand why he went." Maggie Smith, who lives near Honey Lane, said neighbours hadn't set out to force the man out. She said they wanted the owners of the flats, South Oxfordshire Housing Association, to think about who they were re-housing there.

But she said: "It was a satisfactory conclusion and we now feel more comfortable."

The flats are now due to be used purely as temporary accommodation for homeless people.

Story date: Wednesday 19 May

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