Petition · Ministry of Justice

Prevent Sex Offenders from Applying for Removal from the Sex Offenders Register

Closed 163 signatures

What the petition asks

In July 2012, the Sexual Offences Act 2003 was amended to allow certain convicted sex offenders to apply for removal from the Sex Offenders Register 15 years after release. I respectfully urge this amendment be repealed to protect the public.
I believe sexual offences fundamentally breach victims’ human rights, particularly Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which prohibits torture and inhuman or degrading treatment. Article 3 requires public authorities to prevent such treatment and protect individuals from others who do. I believe allowing removal inherently reduces victim protection and enables reoffending risk, ultimately failing the obligation to protect victims.

While removal may interfere with the offender’s Article 8 right to private life, I believe this interference is justified and necessary, and does not amount to a breach, as I believe the protection of victims outweighs the offenders' rights.

Timeline

30 May 2025 Petition opened for signatures
30 Nov 2025 Closed to new signatures

Key facts

Signatures 163
Status Closed
Department Ministry of Justice
Opened 30 May 2025
Closed 30 Nov 2025

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 9 Aug 2026.