Peel Regional police have issued a public safety advisory after a convicted sex offender was released back into the community.

Const. J.P. Valade told ctvtoronto.ca on Friday that the advisory about Brendon James MacNeill, 38, came after police received information from the provincial Attorney General and the Peel Crown attorney's office that the man is considered a high risk to reoffend.

Valade said MacNeill was released from Maplehurst Detention Centre earlier on Friday after serving a stint in jail. He will be under a probation order while in the community and will be residing in the Mississauga Valley area.

MacNeill's criminal record includes convictions for sexual interference, luring a child under the age of 14 and child pornography. Valade said he didn't know the details of the man's latest brush with the law.

"Peel Regional Police and the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services will be working together to monitor MacNeill's activities within the community," police said in a news release.

"This release is being issued to the public as a precautionary measure. Peel Regional Police strives to protect the public and values safety above all else. Members of the public are reminded that, although Mr. MacNeill does present a significant safety risk to the public, he is still a citizen of Canada and his rights are guaranteed under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. As such, Peel Regional Police will act to protect these rights if they are infringed on."

Police say the public should use caution if they encounter MacNeill. "Parents should be cognizant of their children's activities and mindful of whom they are associating with," they said.

Valade said these types of alerts are relatively uncommon.

He did say police issued a similar warning about MacNeill in March 2008 after his release from another stint in Maplehurst. MacNeill was arrested on Nov. 27 and charged with a child pornography offence and breach of a prohibition order.

The John Howard Society of Peel-Halton-Dufferin wouldn't make a spokesperson available for comment.