'Sarah's Law' scheme to be extended

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Pilot schemes set up by the Home Office in response to calls for a "Sarah's Law" have been running since September.

In that time police have made 10 disclosures in response to inquiries from the public, the Home Office revealed.

The Warwickshire, Cleveland, Hampshire and Cambridgeshire forces have dealt with 153 inquiries about the scheme, and 79 applications for information.

The three smaller pilots will be extended so that like Warwickshire they cover the entire force area.

Under the scheme, parents, carers and guardians can ask police to tell them whether people who have access to their children have a record for child sexual offences. Police have the option to reveal information to them or take further action if children are thought to be at risk.

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said the early results were "extremely encouraging" and a decision on whether the pilots will be rolled out nationwide will be made at the end of the year.

"Protecting children and families from sex offenders is one of my top priorities and the UK has one of the most robust systems of managing sex offenders in the world," she said.

"Today's results are extremely encouraging - this pilot has provided crucial protection for children who might otherwise be at risk. The development of this scheme in consultation with Sara Payne, the police and children's charities has been a major step forward in our ability to protect children from sex offenders but also to empower parents and guardians to understand how to best protect their children.

"There will be a full evaluation of the pilot at the end of the year and if it concludes that the pilot has been a success then I will be seeking to roll out the scheme nationally."