Police may warn of paedophile presence
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.New police guidelines to be announced tomorrow will enable officers to inform people about convicted child offenders living in their neighbourhood.
The Home Office will unveil measures to be used by police in an attempt to cut the number of child sex offenders in Britain.
The guidelines, to be revealed by the Home Office minister, Alun Michael, will outline circumstances in which police can alert the public to the presence of offenders. Measures include plans to keep paedophiles under close supervision for up to 10 years after their release from jail.
The guidelines follow a call from the Home Secretary, Jack Straw, for tougher action to protect children. Police will be able to warn school head teachers and organisations such as youth clubs if a sex offender moves into the district.
The way for the publication of the guidelines was smoothed by a High Court ruling last month that North Wales Police were right to tell the public that two paedophiles had moved into the region.
The measures are linked with a national register of sex offenders being set up under the Sex Offenders Act, to be launched next month. As offenders are convicted, their last known address will be entered into a police computer database and any change of address will be noted once they leave jail.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments