More than 300 registered sex offenders are living in Bedfordshire, according to statistics released this week.

The annual report by Bedfordshire Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) has revealed that 321 offenders were living in the county on March 31, with 91 living in Luton and 239 in the rest of the county.

They are part of an overall number of 451 serious sexual and violent offenders, of whom 142 were subject to Level 3, the most stringent multi-agency supervision.

Four of the registered sex offenders were either cautioned or convicted for breaches of the requirement between April 1, 2007 and March 31, 2008.

Bedfordshire MAPPA was set up in 2001 to reduce the likelihood of re-offending by serious sexual and violent offenders.

MAPPA agencies across the country share information and expertise to monitor the activities of such offenders.

In Bedfordshire the number of sex offenders decreased in the last 12 months.

Last year's figures showed that on March 31, 2007 there were 323 offenders living in the county, with six offenders cautioned or convicted for breaches of their conditions.

Chief Supt Andrew Richer, who leads on MAPPA for Bedfordshire Police, said: "This area of work is a high priority for Bedfordshire Police, and we continue to work diligently and vigilantly with our partners in the interests of public safety.

"Much of the joint work supports successful rehabilitation but when necessary we are able to respond to indications of increased risk by deploying a range of overt and covert tactics."

To see a copy of the report visit the Probation Service website www.probation.justice.gov.uk