Paedophile information plan hailed

Labour MP Dan Norris said his constituency in Wansdyke, north-east Somerset, is to be the first area in the UK tested when the Home Office launches it own version of Megan's Law.

Parents will be able to ask if offenders live in their street, on popular school routes or near their playground. The experiment will also give single mothers the power to find out if a new partner is on the sex offenders' register.

Mr Norris said: "This is truly terrific news for children and their safety and an important blow in the fight against paedophiles and the harm and misery they cause. I could not be more pleased."

Parents will not be given names and addresses, but will be told how many offenders are in their area.

Mr Norris believes Home Secretary John Reid will announce three pilot areas to be involved in the scheme next month.

Mr Norris, a former child protection officer, was first approached about the introduction of a Megan's Law in the UK in 1998. Last October he joined the Home Office delegation to review the impact the law had had in the United States.

The first Megan's Law was passed in New Jersey in 1994 after the rape and murder of Megan Kanka by Jesse Timmendequas, a convicted sex offender who was living across the street from her.

Mr Norris said of plans for a UK version: "This legislation will be difficult and challenging to get right, which is why it is important that it is thoroughly trialled. But we owe it to all our children to ensure that they are as safe as possible."

A campaign to launch a British version, dubbed "Sarah's Law", was launched following the death of Sarah Payne, who was murdered by paedophile Roy Whiting in 2000. Sarah's mother, Sara, speaking to the Sun newspaper, said: "It is up to mums, dads and teachers in trial areas to view this power and make the scheme a success."