And they are demanding police and council housing bosses keep his family out of the neighbourhood.

A petition is now being circulated urging the Scottish Government to immediately halt the early release from prison of sex offenders.

John Bermingham is currently on remand after allegedly breaking the terms of strict restrictions on his movements – just SIX DAYS after being released from prison.

The 42-year-old was jailed for 12 years in 2002 after being convicted of two horrific sexual attacks on young girls.

However, he was freed on licence by the Parole Board on November 7 after serving just seven years of his sentence.

The authorities moved him and his wife Suzanne (45) into a council-owned semi-detached house at 3 Skaithmuir Crescent, Carronshore. She had previously been living in Stirling Street, Denny.

Three of his immediate family are serving lengthy jail terms for terrible crimes.

Son William (22) was jailed for life after attempting to take a female warder hostage in Polmont YOI, where he was sent after he was convicted of the rape of a 17-year-old girl in Grangemouth.

His brother, Duncan, is in jail for the murder of a 21-year-old woman in Manchester.

And only last month, his younger son Jonathan (19) pled guilty to the rape of a 14-year-old schoolboy in Falkirk. Five years ago he carried out a similar attack on a nine-year-old boy. He will be sentenced in
January but faces lifelong supervision.

His latest victim has strong family links with the Carronshore area.

Last week, The Falkirk Herald took the decision NOT to reveal Bermingham's whereabouts. But by Thursday evening and following his detention for allegedly breaching a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) granted at Falkirk Sheriff Court three days before his release, locals began gathering outside the house to protest.

Around 4 p.m. on Friday, neighbours saw Mrs Bermingham leave in a taxi, flanked by two police cars.

It is understood she is now being put up in a hotel, outwith the Falkirk Council area but still within the boundaries of the Central Scotland Police force.

However, within hours around 100 people had gathered in Skaithmuir Crescent, seeking assurances that the family would not be allowed back.

Police and community wardens were present but the locals would not disperse. Carronshore councillor Craig Martin was eventually contacted by senior officers and asked to attend to talk to people.

Only when council workmen arrived to board up the house did the crowd eventually leave. However, joiners had to return the following day to replace the hoarding after it was daubed with graffiti.

Karen Paton, who lives in nearby Skaithmuir Avenue, is co-ordinating a petition urging Justice Minister Kenny McAskill to ensure sex offenders serve their full sentence in prison.

She said: "I've lived here all my life and don't want people like this in our village. People are frightened they come back. We want assuranced the family won't be allowed to return."

Councillor Martin, along with Labour colleague, Charles MacDonald, also wants the Berminghams kept out.

He said: "What people don't understand is that we were never consulted about where these people were to be housed and that is also an issue for us. I have a six-year-old daughter who attends Carronshore Primary, close to this house, and when I learned where he was I had sleepless nights. I know why people are frightened.

Councillor MacDonald said: "Our hands were tied. We weren't able to divulge information about his whereabouts."

Bermingham was being monitored under multi agency public protection arrangements (MAPPA) which involve the police, council, prison service and NHS.

It is understood he was classed a serious risk and was under round-the-clock surveillance.

Mr Martin has submitted a Freedom of Information request to the Central Scotland force asking for details of that operation's cost.

He has invited the Justice Minister to explain to Carronshore residents "why they deserve serious sex offenders living next to families".

All prisoners sentenced to four years or more can be considered for release on licence by the Parole Board after half their sentence. After serving two thirds of their sentence in custody, a prisoner is automatically released.

Bermingham still had one year to go before two thirds of his sentence had been served.

Last night (Wednesday), a Scottish Government spokesperson said it was still firmly committed to ending the "arbitrary" system of early release introduced in 1993.

They said: "We have always made it clear this will be part of a coherent penal policy – not piecemeal change that will impact badly on our criminal justice system and public safety."

John Bermingham appeared in private at Falkirk Sheriff Court last Friday charged with breaching his SOPO. He made no plea or declaration and was remanded in custody.