New measures to help parents protect their children from paedophiles will be trialled under plans by the Home Secretary. (Sky News Saturday 16th February 2008)
The controversial 'Sarah's Laws' will allow parents to check with police if those who care for their children have been convicted for sex offences. Writing exclusively in the News of the World, Jacqui Smith says the programme will be trialled in four areas - Cambridgeshire, Hampshire, Cleveland and Warwickshire.
Mrs Smith writes: "Today I am announcing that this summer four police forces will start schemes that allow a child's parents or guardians to be informed if someone they are having a personal relationship with has previous convictions for child sex offences."
The plan could be rolled out across the country if it is successful.
The announcement follows years of campaigning after the murder of Sarah Payne, aged 8, in 2000, by sex offender Roy Whiting. Campaigners called for parents to have a legal right to controlled access to information about paedophiles who live in their area.
Mrs Smith said: "The News of the World has been a leading voice in the campaign for more to be done to stop sex offenders."
Sarah's mother Sara welcomed the scheme and said: "Now almost eight years on and five Home Secretaries later, it seems we have finally reached a stage where the government are putting the safety of our children first. These new trials are a major step forward, helping us to protect our children and making it harder for those that prey on them to hide under the veil of state assisted secrecy."
