A total of 159 sex offenders, including rapists and paedophiles, have gone missing or are wanted by the Metropolitan Police, it has been revealed. 

The figures came to light following a Freedom of Information request by Tony Arbour, a Conservative member of the London Assembly.

Scotland Yard has confirmed it does not know the current location of 63 sex offenders who completed their prison sentences and were released under supervision into the community.

A further 96 criminals are wanted, mainly for breaching requirements to tell police where they are living and disclose their passport details.

Police have said many of them could be living abroad in countries with less stringent laws on sex offences.