CHESHIRE Police has refused to name a missing registered sex offender over fears of a vigilante attack.

The Press Association sent freedom of information requests to every police force in the UK to find out the number of missing registered sex offenders.

Scotland Yard said the whereabouts of 167 registered sex offenders were unknown and the longest period of time an offender had been missing was 14 years, the force said.

Police in Cheshire said one registered sex offender was missing but refused to say when their whereabouts became unknown.

Neighbouring Merseyside Police said three registered sex offenders were missing, as of March 3, and all three had gone missing this year.

Cheshire Police Superintendent Nigel Wenham said: "Cheshire has one outstanding registered sex offender following an offence committed in Crewe in 2006. 

"The offender was foreign national, who was tried and convicted in 2007, in his absence, of committing sexual  assault. He received an 18 month custodial sentence and is circulated as wanted. 

"Prior to trial and sentence it is believed he returned to his country.  Extensive enquires were done including Interpol checks and they concluded he had left the UK.  Checks continue to be made to confirm he has not re-entered the country."