Bristol parents can’t check on perverts until 2011

Parents in Bristol will not be able to discover if perverts have access to their children as Avon and Somerset police will not be taking part in the Child Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme until March 2011.

The new scheme is known as Sarah’s Law, named after Sarah Payne, a seven-year-old child who was abducted and murdered by a paedophile ten years ago.

Tireless campaigning by her mother Sara Payne and newspaper The News of the World called for parents to be allowed to know if a paedophile lived near to them.

The Child Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme will now allow parents to make enquiries to the police about people who come into contact with their children checking whether they are sex offenders.

Though the trial scheme has been rolled out nationally, parents in Bristol will be unable to benefit from the new measures until 2011 when all forces nationwide will be taking part.
 
The 12 month pilot scheme has already protected more than 60 children with 315 applications being made from parents and carers.

Home Secretary Theresa May said:”The roll-out of this scheme is an important step forward for child protection in this country. Being able to make these checks reassures parents and the community and more importantly keeps children safer.

“Not only will it help parents, carers or guardians ensure that their children are safe, but it also assists the police in managing known sex offenders living in the community more effectively.
“The start of the nationwide roll-out will mean even more children will be protected from potential harm.”

To find out more about the scheme and how to request information, visit: www.direct.gov.uk/keepingchildrensafe