NO ISSUE surrounding sex offenders can escape causing controversy, however carefully the authorities proceed.

So the revelation that three offenders from North Yorkshire are on the run will not be a comfort to anyone. One member of this trio is well known to the police, and indeed to readers of this newspaper.

Stephen Burnell is one of the most wanted paedophiles in Britain and his whereabouts have not been known to police for more than two years. Burnell attacked a nine-year-old girl in York and was jailed for six years in his absence in March, 2007.

There has certainly been nothing low-profile about the way his case has been treated. As well as stories in this newspaper, appeals have been made nationally and internationally; Burnell is also featured on the most-wanted section of the BBC Crimewatch website.

So no one could complain nothing was being done to facilitate his capture – even if, sadly, he is still at large.

The same cannot be said about the other two sex offenders, whose identity is being kept a secret by the police. This will strike many people as wrong and, potentially, even dangerous.

After all, how can people guard against the possible advances of a sex offender or paedophile if their identity remains unknown?

It is true North Yorkshire Police believe that keeping the identities of these offenders secret is the sensible way forward; and that the decision was taken after assessing the risks.

Also, the police do insist that protecting children and other vulnerable people remains their highest priority. However, many readers will agree with June Briggs when she says: “All sex offenders are dangerous and it is the public’s right to know who they are.”

The police may believe that “inappropriate disclosure” can do more harm than good, but we beg to disagree: in this instance, disclosure would be highly appropriate and a great comfort to many people.