There are 377 registered sex offenders living in Ayrshire communities, latest Police Scotland figures show.
Another 123 sex criminals are in custody or hospital in the area, the statistics released at the end of July reveal.
The figures show that Ayrshire currently has the fifth-highest number of registered sex offenders in the country in the community – more than Edinburgh, which has 345.
The criminals are monitored locally and officers assess any risks to the public, according to a top Ayrshire detective.
Ayrshire Division’s Detective Superintendent Kenny Armstrong said: “Protecting the public is a top priority for Police Scotland.
“Registered sex offenders are robustly managed by police and our partners through Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA).
“Offenders are subject to comprehensive risk assessments and risk management plans in the community.”
He added: “We have dedicated officers, based in Ayrshire, specially trained for this task.”
He added: “Our MAPPA provide a comprehensive response to a complex issue, using professional assessment and a collaborative approach to manage those offenders who pose a risk to the public.”
Greater Glasgow has the highest number of sex offenders in the community standing at a total of 685 out of 13 police regions.
Lanarkshire is next with 528, the north-east is third at 452 followed by Tayside with 400 and then Ayrshire.
Julie Robson, service manager – justice services, at East Ayrshire Council said: “East Ayrshire Council works in accordance with the Scottish Government’s National Accommodation Strategy for Sex Offenders in Scotland (NASSO).
“The NASSO forms part of the MAPPA and sets out how housing contributed to those arrangements.”
