# High-risk child sex offender relocated to Surrey under strict monitoring Police warn public as convicted predator begins 10-year community supervision with electronic monitoring. - **Source:** [National Post - RSS Feed](https://nationalpost.com/) - **Published:** 2026-09-29 - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/50bcc9d5-ab77-448f-b41c-beb5c0907496 ## Police public warning issued Surrey Police Services issued a rare Public Interest Disclosure about Leonard Michael Ramstead, a 58-year-old convicted child sex offender now residing in the community. The department released his photo and physical description, noting his history of sexual offenses against children under 16. This marks the second time authorities have warned Surrey residents about Ramstead's presence, following similar alerts during his 2024 statutory release. ## Decade-long supervision order Ramstead is under Canada's maximum 10-year long-term supervision order, described by Correctional Service Canada as intensive community monitoring. The order follows his completion of a fixed-term prison sentence, where he served two-thirds before statutory release in April 2024. Electronic monitoring and traditional police surveillance will enforce his 23 bail conditions, including prohibitions on alcohol, drugs, and any contact with minors under 16. ## Extensive movement restrictions The offender's bail conditions ban him from all youth-centric locations including schools, parks, pools, and recreational centers. He cannot hold positions of trust involving minors or contact victims' families. These restrictions mirror those imposed during his 2024 release, when he and another high-risk offender were simultaneously placed in Surrey within two weeks - a situation that drew mayoral condemnation for endangering BC's largest youth population. ## Repeat offenses history Ramstead was first convicted in 2019 for sexual interference with a minor under 16, then again in 2021 for similar crimes against a child under 14. Correctional authorities consider him at high risk for reoffending against children. His case highlights challenges in managing repeat sex offenders, with Surrey's police transition from RCMP to municipal service adding jurisdictional complexity to monitoring efforts. ## Community surveillance partnership While Surrey Police Service assumed jurisdictional control from RCMP in 2024, both forces will jointly monitor Ramstead. The collaboration combines municipal policing with federal correctional oversight through electronic monitoring. Authorities urge residents to report any condition violations immediately to 911, particularly sightings near prohibited locations or contact with minors. ## Political backlash precedent Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke previously expressed outrage when Ramstead and another offender were released simultaneously in 2024, calling it unacceptable for Canada's most youth-dense city. The current supervision order represents the justice system's attempt to balance rehabilitation with community protection, though such cases continue testing public confidence in offender management systems. ## Legal framework limitations Canada's long-term supervision orders allow up to 10 years of community monitoring after prison terms, but cannot extend beyond that maximum. Ramstead's case demonstrates how the system handles offenders deemed too dangerous for unsupervised release yet who've completed their sentences. The arrangement keeps them technically free while imposing severe lifestyle restrictions. ## Public safety implications This high-profile case tests Surrey's policing transition from RCMP to municipal service during critical public safety operations. It also spotlights ongoing debates about managing repeat sex offenders in communities, particularly those near vulnerable populations. The extensive publicity aims to create community awareness while potentially complicating reintegration efforts for the offender. ## Sources covering this story - https://nationalpost.com/news/dangerous-high-risk-sex-offender-to-live-in-surrey-b-c-police-say-in-a-warning — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._