VICTIMS can voice their fears about offenders due to be released after serving jail sentences.

And strict conditions can be put on criminals judged to be at risk of re-offending.

The issues emerged in a report which shows how police and probation services in West Yorkshire are working together to protect the public from dangerous offenders.

The annual report on Multi- Agency Public Protection Arrangements shows the kind of support given to victims of violent or sexual crimes and the preventive measures used to protect the public from such offenders.

Police and probation staff work closely with the prison service, Victim Support, housing, health and social services to decide on the best ways to protect the public from dangerous offenders when they are released from prison.

West Yorkshire Probation's Assistant Chief Officer, Randel Barrows, said: "The primary aim of these arrangements is to prevent re-offending and protect the public.

"Victims are at the front of our minds when we assess the risks these offenders pose.

"Probation staff are in contact with all victims of crime where the offender has been in prison for 12 months or more.

"Victims are told about the sentence and their views and concerns are given to the public protection team, so they can be taken into consideration.

"This often results in extra conditions being put into an offender's licence. For example, limiting where they can live, work or visit."

Det Supt Mick Hopwood, head of West Yorkshire Police Child and Public Protection Unit, said: "We have options that help us prevent these individuals from re-offending, including the use of close monitoring and electronic tags.

"We can also place restrictions on where they are allowed to go, who they can contact and what job they can pursue.

"If they are on the sex offenders' register we can monitor their activities and regularly review and address the specific risks they pose."

But he added: "Unfortunately, there are people like this in all our communities, so we can never fully eliminate the dangers they may pose. This is why we must monitor them constantly and tackle these risks.

"Our ability to do this is increased by working in close partnership and sharing information with other agencies."