Child protection agency calls for improved vetting

THE Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (ISPCC) yesterday reiterated its long-running call for improved vetting procedures for people working with children.

The call follows moves by police in the North to improve monitoring of sex offenders by establishing a new register linked to the main British database.

The ISPCC said improvements were needed in the Republic, particularly garda vetting for people working with children and the introduction of statutory child protection guidelines.

Spokesperson Caroline O'Sullivan said: "A sex offenders register works well, but in order for people to be included on it, then we need to have another system in place where we can check people."

The Violent Offender and Sex Offender Register will link officers to a national computer network enabling them to share improved information on dangerous convicts and increase child protection.

There are fears the tighter restrictions in the North will force paedophiles over the Border.

Police chiefs claimed the new register would allow all forces access a Britain-wide database. Anyone on the list can be managed by police and partner agencies wherever they are located.

With around 300 officers trained to use the system, Assistant Chief Constable Judith Gillespie said: "The Bichard Inquiry into the handling of Ian Huntley in the Soham murders case has given added impetus to the need for criminal justice agencies, in particular the police, to be able to share information.

"In this first stage, only sex offenders will be placed on the database. "Violent offenders will be put on the system when the necessary legislation is in place.

"We would also hope that partner agencies in Northern Ireland will become connected to ViSOR.

"Whilst initially ViSOR will primarily be used as a tool to manage sex offenders, the intelligence held on the system can be used for the prevention and detection of crime which should lead to increased community safety and public confidence."

The register was launched amid claims paedophiles are being relocated to the north coast to protect them from paramilitary threats.

SDLP Assemblyman John Dallat said housing authorities were sending child sex offenders to accommodation near the sea because it was readily available during the winter months.

One family discovered convicted paedophiles living on either side of their terraced property in Portrush, he claimed.

A Housing Executive spokesman denied any area was targeted for rehousing sex offenders, but said the system works under guidelines approved by police, social services and the Probation Board.