Ian Beeby 71

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A registered sex offender has been sent back to prison, after robust management of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) by our Sex Offender Management Unit (SOMU), with support from partner agencies, who identified breaches amounting to criminal offences.

This man had been previously convicted for sexual offences against children and upon release from prison had been subject to monitoring under a SHPO. This regular monitoring is to prevent and deter further offending, and deal with any breaches swiftly should they occur.

Earlier this year, SOMU conducted a home visit after concerns that a previously convicted sex offender was in breach of his SHPO. This information led to a productive visit to his address, where officers were able to obtain enough information and evidence to suggest he was breaching his prevention order.

In July 2025, Ian Beeby (71) from Bolton was arrested during a home compliance visit by SOMU, following concerns from the National Probation Service that he had engaged in conversation with male children who were filming themselves for a YouTube channel in Manchester City Centre.

Following enquiries by SOMU, officers were able to spot Beeby in a video posted by the children’s family and he was subsequently charged with breaching his sexual harm prevention order for communication with a child.

Beeby’s SHPO was in place following a conviction for offences against young boys, and he is now back in prison for three years after appearing at Bolton Crown Court today, 18 September.

Detective Superintendent Jen Tattersall, who leads our SOMU team, said:

“This case demonstrates the work being done by our Sex Offender Management Unit to ensure vulnerable people are being protected and offenders are being brought to justice.

“The progression of this unit has seen offender managers receiving live-time updates on changes to address or associations subjects have to children, which has improved effectiveness of the unit, expedited the arrests of offenders such as Beeby, and reduced risk to our communities.

“Child protection is our utmost priority, and I hope the action taken in this case serves as a warning to others who think they can get away with breaching their restrictions that you can’t.”

As part of ongoing improvements in the way SOMU manage and deal with offenders, the team have made 370 arrests in the last year, compared to 349 arrests the previous year, and conducted over 8000 positive compliance visits. With an 81% solved outcome rate over the last year, increasing from the previous 68%, it means that more children are being protected and safeguarded, and more offenders are going through the justice system.

The SOMU is a consistently growing team and is additionally boosted by the Sex Offender Crime Investigation Team (SOCIT). SOCIT is focused solely on investigating suspected offences by registered sex offenders in Greater Manchester. They have made a significant impact since their formation in 2022, with a 94% solved crime rate this year, an increase from the previous year at 88%. This remains the highest in the force.