New scheme allows parents to check for sex offenders

A new scheme, launched on August 1 will enable parents, carers and guardians to enquire whether individuals with access to their children are likely to pose a risk of harm. The Child Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme is being launched in Bedfordshire and by other police forces around the region and country.

The scheme allows parents, carers, guardians and members of the public to raise with the police a request for information about an individual in contact with, or with access to, children. While any member of the public can make an application, any disclosure will only be given to those people best placed to protect the children involved. If the individual has a record for child sexual offences, then disclosure may be given to the person best placed to protect the child, usually a parent, carer or guardian.

Police will verify all applications to ensure they qualify under the scheme, to weed out malicious calls and ensure any disclosure of information is made only to those people in a position to protect children from harm.

Detective Inspector Paul Cook, Child Abuse Investigation Unit said: “This scheme will enable people to either put their minds at rest or alert ourselves, social services and the carers of children to the presence of a sex offender with access to their children.

“It is intended to provide a mechanism for members of the public to register their child protection interest in a named individual and enable anyone with suspicions to alert the authorities and those caring for children. It is not intended to identify offenders who do not have access to children.”