Cops have released shocking statistics which reveal there are more than 500 sex offenders living within communities in Lanarkshire - including East Kilbride.
The county has the second highest figure in Scotland at 506 and is below only neighbouring Greater Glasgow which has 681 living among the general population - equating to a sixth of the population.
In Lanarkshire a further 163 creeps are in hospital or locked-up in custody compared to 235 in Greater Glasgow.
According to official statistics from Police Scotland there are currently 4299 convicted offenders in Scotland, with a further 1460 either in custody or in hospital.
Figures, released at the end of last month, also show that cops have 14 wanted sex offender with 14 believed to be out with the United Kingdom.
According to Police Scotland, "A Wanted Registered Sex Offender is defined as those who are subject to the notification requirements of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 and who have a live warrant in force."
Someone will be placed on the sex offenders register if they are convicted, caution or caged for a sexual offence since September 1997 when it was created.
If you have concerns about a paedophile in your area then here's what to do:
The first step for anyone should be to contact police. You can do this by visiting a police station, phoning police or speaking to a police officer on the street.
Police will carry out background checks, and if the checks discover any child sex offences in the person’s background the parent, carer or guardian will receive information on them.
To get the information, you will have to fill in a form with a police officer, as well as providing proof of identity, an address including photo ID, and proof of your relationship with the child.
If you do receive information from the police it must be treated as confidential.
It is only being given to you so that you can take steps to protect your children. You must not share this information with anyone else unless you have spoken to the police, or person who gave you the information, and they have agreed with you how it will be shared.
