UK parents to be given details on child molesters

Parents in some areas of Britain will from today be able to ask police whether anyone with access to their child is a convicted paedophile.

Details about child sex convictions will be revealed under a UK Home Office pilot scheme if police think a child may be in danger.

Twelve-month trials are being held in a number of locations and could be extended across the country if successful.

The trials are a response to calls for a “Sarah’s Law” that allows more information to be published about where paedophiles live. The campaign followed the brutal murder of Sarah Payne by convicted sex offender Roy Whiting.

In America, “Megan’s Law”, named after the child victim of a repeat sex offender, allows the publication of names, addresses and pictures of paedophiles in some states.

Fears were raised such a law could lead to vigilante attacks and drive paedophiles underground.

Under the new scheme any parent sharing the information given to them could face civil or criminal penalties.

British Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said the pilots were a “huge step forward”.

“There are few crimes more damaging, more emotive and more sensitive than sexual offences against children. I want to see every child living their lives free from fear,” she said.

“Giving parents the ability to find out if someone close to their child poses a risk will empower them.”

Children’s Minister Kevin Brennan said: “We are determined to keep children and young people safe and these new pilots will add an additional layer of local protection to help make our communities safe places to live and grow up in.”

Sara Payne, Sarah’s mother, welcomed the moves but said there was “far more still more to be done".

“This is a giant step towards truth and honesty when dealing with sex offenders and all we need now is for local communities up and down the UK to help make this work," she said.

“It has been a long journey to get to this point and I finally feel the wind of change, but make no mistake, there is far more still to be done.”

When approached, the police will conduct two tests. The first, within 24 hours, will examine the person’s criminal history to see if police need to take immediate action.

A full risk assessment will follow, involving more detailed checks and should be completed within 10 days. The searches will look for sex offences, convictions for child neglect and even domestic abuse.

Police say it could help women with new partners whose past they do not know check their background. Grandparents and other relatives can also alert police but details will only be given out to parents and guardians.

Diana Sutton, head of policy at the NSPCC, said the charity would wait to see if the programmes work and do not create a false sense of security.

“We strongly urge people to remain alert to the fact that not all child abusers have criminal records because many are not caught and charged with an offence,” she said.

“Someone might be given a clean bill of health by police because they do not have a criminal record but may still pose a threat to children.”

A child protection charity warned the pilot schemes needed to be carefully monitored and evaluated before being introduced across the UK.

Donald Findlater, director of research and development at the Lucy Faithfull Foundation and its 'Stop it Now!' UK and Ireland campaign, said: “I have serious doubts about the usefulness of disclosure.

“I suspect few will make use of it and doubt they will actually be inquiring about known sex offenders. I also fear publicity around the pilots may drive some offenders underground, where they may be more dangerous.”

The Churches’ Child Protection Advisory Service (CCPAS), a charity that advises and trains Christian and secular organisations in child protection practices, welcomed the measures.

David Pearson, of CCPAS, said: “These new measures, based on a presumption of disclosure, clearly establish the principle that the need to protect children comes first.

“Our helpline deals with many calls regarding individuals posing possible risk to children in family situations and at places of worship attended by children.

“We are therefore delighted that the current patchy situation is set to end - a postcode lottery that could allow sex offenders to fall through the net, with increased risks of abuse to our children.”