Hertfordshire is among the counties with the lowest number of registered sex offenders, new data has revealed.

According to data released by the UK Government, Herts had 987 people on the sex offenders register from 2022 to 2023, which is down 1.92 per cent from 832 in 2021/22.

Only 14 counties out of 44 have a lower number than Hertfordshire, including neighbouring Bedfordshire which ranks second on this list with just 604 registered sex offenders.

Hertfordshire, and its 1.1 million people, does have the lowest number of sex offenders per 100,000 population at just 77.

"We work carefully with our partner agencies to manage registered sex offenders and it is positive to see that the number of registered offenders within Hertfordshire has dropped," said a Hertfordshire Constabulary spokesperson.

"Our stance on tackling sexual offences remains strong and we will continue to support victims and bring sexual offenders to justice. If you have been the victim of a rape or sexual assault, we will always be here for you."

London had the highest number of registered sex offenders from 2022 to 2023, with the figure standing at 6,901, but that gave the city an offenders per 100,000 population rate of just 89.