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Child sex warning scheme expanded Child sex warning scheme expanded
(about 4 hours later)
A pilot scheme allowing parents to check with police if someone close to their children has a history of child sex offending is being expanded.A pilot scheme allowing parents to check with police if someone close to their children has a history of child sex offending is being expanded.
Provisional figures show officers received 79 official requests for information in the four trial areas.Provisional figures show officers received 79 official requests for information in the four trial areas.
From Monday coverage will be extended across Cambridgeshire, Cleveland and Hampshire where it has operated in certain areas only so far. From Monday coverage will be extended across Cambridgeshire, Cleveland and Hampshire, where it had previously operated only in parts of the counties.
The scheme will continue in the entire Warwickshire area.The scheme will continue in the entire Warwickshire area.
The project has been backed by the government's Victims' Champion Sara Payne, whose eight-year-old daughter Sarah was abducted and murdered by convicted sex offender Roy Whiting.The project has been backed by the government's Victims' Champion Sara Payne, whose eight-year-old daughter Sarah was abducted and murdered by convicted sex offender Roy Whiting.
'Better evaluation''Better evaluation'
The case prompted calls for a British "Sarah's Law", based on the so-called Megan's Law in the US which allows the publication of names, addresses and pictures of paedophiles in some states. The case had prompted calls for a British "Sarah's Law", based on the so-called Megan's Law in the US which allows the publication of names, addresses and pictures of paedophiles in some states.
Out of the applications made in the pilot scheme, details were disclosed on 10 individuals - five in Warwickshire and five in Cleveland. In the scheme being piloted, police are asked to disclose relevant information to the parent or carer so they can assess whether the child is at risk.
Out of the applications made in the pilot scheme, details were disclosed on 10 individuals - five in Warwickshire and five in Cleveland. The pilot has assisted in raising public awareness of child protection issues Keith BristowWarwickshire Chief Constable
In one case information was passed on about a man with access to his new partner's grandchildren.In one case information was passed on about a man with access to his new partner's grandchildren.
The pilot has assisted in raising public awareness of child protection issues Keith BristowWarwickshire Chief Constable He had previously been investigated for child sex abuse and convicted of sex offences against adults. He had previously been investigated for child sex abuse and convicted of sex offences against adults.
In another example police discovered a man had apparently breached a court order that should have stopped him being alone with children. In another example police were contacted by a parent concerned about the behaviour of a family friend.
They discovered the man had apparently breached a court order that should have stopped him being alone with children, and he was arrested and charged.
'Better deal'
There were fears such a system could lead to vigilante attacks against offenders but there have been no cases so far.There were fears such a system could lead to vigilante attacks against offenders but there have been no cases so far.
Warwickshire Chief Constable Keith Bristow, who speaks on violence and public protection for the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo), said: "Extending the pilot sites across the forces will allow better evaluation on which to base future decisions.Warwickshire Chief Constable Keith Bristow, who speaks on violence and public protection for the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo), said: "Extending the pilot sites across the forces will allow better evaluation on which to base future decisions.
"The police service is committed to protecting children from any individual who poses harm or risk and the pilot has assisted in raising public awareness of child protection issues."The police service is committed to protecting children from any individual who poses harm or risk and the pilot has assisted in raising public awareness of child protection issues.
"For those parents and carers who have made enquiries, we trust that it has helped give them confidence that their children are safe.""For those parents and carers who have made enquiries, we trust that it has helped give them confidence that their children are safe."
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said the pilot projects had given children a "better deal".Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said the pilot projects had given children a "better deal".