7. To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports that hundreds of sex offenders have been able to change their name in the past two years, what it can do to ensure the safety of the public, particularly in areas such as EH14 and EH54, which reportedly have the joint highest number of sex offenders registered across Edinburgh and West Lothian. (S6O-03230)

Despite how it has been reported, Police Scotland has confirmed that it responded to a freedom of information request with detail of the instances in which some detail of a registered name has been changed. To be clear, that is not the same as individuals having changed their name, and could include, for example, a new email address or the issuing of a gym card bearing a name. Therefore, the actual number of individuals identifying under a new name is lower than the reported figures.

The Scottish Government takes the safety of the public very seriously. Sex offender notification requirements apply to an individual, irrespective of what name they use, and multi-agency public protection arrangements documentation includes the recording of any aliases. Sex offenders must inform the police of a name change within three days, and failure to notify such a change can result in a prison sentence.

Recent reports have raised concerns about the ability of sex offenders to change their name, whatever the numbers may be—one is bad. The loophole in the legal system allows dangerous criminals to hide in plain sight, and we know of instances in which it has allowed dangerous sex offenders to change their name and subsequently target new victims, who have no way of knowing their new identity. Will the cabinet secretary confirm whether any consideration has been given to closing that loophole in the interest of public safety?

The member might be aware of the Criminal Justice Bill that is making its way through Westminster just now. I am very actively and seriously considering the United Kingdom proposals for legislative change in this area. I hope to be in a position shortly to provide a more formal update to Parliament about any requirement for a legislative consent motion as a result of what is proposed. A range of amendments is proposed, some of which refer to issues in and around name change.