DES MOINES — A new Iowa service will provide crime victims and others real-time notifications whenever registered sex offenders notify authorities about changes of address.

A news release from the Iowa Public Safety Department says an email notification system has been available for several years. In fiscal 2012, more than 280,000 notification emails were sent.

Under the Offender Watch program, automatic notifications will be made via phones or text messages.

It notifies users when a convicted sex offender moves in or out of an area.