Almost 3,000 suspected child sex offenders were released into the community without any conditions to stop them approaching their victims or putting the public at risk by reoffending, an investigation has found.

New restrictions on police use of bail meant the number of suspected child sex offenders released without any licence conditions rose 10-fold in just a year, from 261 in 2016/17 to 2,993 in 2017/18, according to police figures unearthed through Freedom of Information requests

Sarah Champion, the MP for Rotherham and chair of the all party group on victims of child abuse, who obtained the figures, said it meant there was nothing to prevent the suspects from contacting victims, attending their home or workplace or re-offending.

“This has had serious ramifications for the safety of survivors and their confidence in police to keep them and their families safe if they report abuse,” she said.

"In compiling this research, I spoke with policemen and women who have vented their frustrations about there being no pre-charge restrictions on suspects of sexual offences.

“It poses a risk to the safety of victims. There's nothing stopping [the suspect] from contacting or intimidating their accuser.

"Sexual offenders, particularly paedophiles follow a pattern of behaviour and often re-offend. If there are no restrictions on them while they are under questioning, it poses a considerable risk to the public.”