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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| New trials for law on paedophiles | New trials for law on paedophiles |
| (about 17 hours later) | |
| Parents are to be given the right to know if paedophiles are living near their homes as part of a pilot project. | Parents are to be given the right to know if paedophiles are living near their homes as part of a pilot project. |
| The move follows years of campaigning by parents for Megan's Law - named after a similar rule which was introduced in the US. | The move follows years of campaigning by parents for Megan's Law - named after a similar rule which was introduced in the US. |
| North East Somerset will be the first area to test the scheme after the idea was championed by local MP Dan Norris. | North East Somerset will be the first area to test the scheme after the idea was championed by local MP Dan Norris. |
| Two other tests will follow after it is introduced to Mr Norris's constituency in Wansdyke. | Two other tests will follow after it is introduced to Mr Norris's constituency in Wansdyke. |
| 'Prospective partners' | 'Prospective partners' |
| The law allows public access to some information on the history and whereabouts of some high-risk sex offenders, which supporters say has been a valuable deterrent and an important tool for curbing their activities. | The law allows public access to some information on the history and whereabouts of some high-risk sex offenders, which supporters say has been a valuable deterrent and an important tool for curbing their activities. |
| Mr Norris was first approached about the introduction of a Megan's Law in the UK in 1998. | Mr Norris was first approached about the introduction of a Megan's Law in the UK in 1998. |
| The former child welfare officer told BBC News: "I think there is an argument for full disclosure but it has to be done incrementally. | The former child welfare officer told BBC News: "I think there is an argument for full disclosure but it has to be done incrementally. |
| "At the moment we are concerned with three areas: lone parents, people who want to know if there are serial offenders in their area and for head teachers to be aware of any offenders around their schools. | "At the moment we are concerned with three areas: lone parents, people who want to know if there are serial offenders in their area and for head teachers to be aware of any offenders around their schools. |
| "When there has been vigilantism, these people go underground and then we don't know what they're doing, that's why we're having these tests." | "When there has been vigilantism, these people go underground and then we don't know what they're doing, that's why we're having these tests." |
| Michele Elliott, director of children's charity Kidscape, said the decision was a "massive breakthrough" for parents. | Michele Elliott, director of children's charity Kidscape, said the decision was a "massive breakthrough" for parents. |
| Ms Elliott said: "I am delighted that this is happening. It is happening with a great deal of planning and thought, and we will see how it works in these controlled circumstances." | |
| Megan's Law is named after Megan Kanka, a seven-year-old who was murdered in the US by a neighbour who was a convicted sex offender. | Megan's Law is named after Megan Kanka, a seven-year-old who was murdered in the US by a neighbour who was a convicted sex offender. |