The 13-strong watchdog was launched yesterday and will focus on offenders once they are released from prison.

Multi-agency

It will include members of the police, Probation Service and members of the social services.

There are also plans for the PSNI and Garda to work together to track offenders who move across the border.

Criminal Justice Minister Paul Goggins said it would make it easier to trace violent criminals in the community.

He said: "This dedicated and specialist resource is another major initiative to strengthen the way we seek to reduce the risk from serious offenders and other potentially dangerous people in the community."

Outrage

The new agency follows outrage over cases such as Trevor Hamilton, who murdered pensioner Attracta Harron in Tyrone when he was released from jail.

The specialist team will be headed by PSNI assistant chief constable Duncan McCausland from the Donegall Pass police station in Belfast.

There are currently 12 of the most serious category three sex offenders living in the community under management and Mr McCausland anticipated the numbers would rise to about 60 when violent offenders and new releases are added to the list.