The sex offenders register contains the details of all those convicted of a crime in England and Wales under the 2003 Sexual Offences Act.

Offenders must now register with the police within 72 hours of being convicted or cautioned. They must give their name, date of birth, home address and national insurance number - if applicable.

Initial reporting to a police station has to be in person. The police may apply for anyone convicted of a sex offence abroad to be placed on the register.

It may also be a condition of registration that an offender notify the police if he or she is intending to travel abroad.  Offenders can be on the register for varying length of time. For further details see BBC article