Child sex offender scheme protects children in Shropshire
A Child Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme, popularly known as ‘Sarah's Law' has seen a number of children in Shropshire protected from potentially serious harm.
Police forces in England and Wales adopted the scheme from 4 April 2011, but as one of the first 18 forces to take part, West Mercia Police offered the service to local residents since August 2010 while officers from the Public Protection Unit led the national roll out.
In that time, hundreds of people have contacted the force to make an enquiry, more than 100 been taken forward as formal applications and 16 disclosures have been made about child sexual offenders. Three further disclosures were made about other information relevant to safeguarding children.
More than 200 children have been protected from potential harm in England and Wales during the first year, it was announced by the Home Office today.
In one recent example of the scheme's success, a father separated from his wife was concerned about her new partner who was subsequently found to have been arrested for child sexual offences and was in breach of bail.
He was arrested and removed from the household and a disclosure was made to the mother. It was then established that she was still associating with the new partner so the children were taken from her care and given to the father.
Anyone can ask the police to check whether people who have contact with children pose a risk. If the individual has convictions for sexual offences against children or poses a risk of causing harm then the police can choose to disclose this information to the parent, carer or guardian.
‘Encouraged' by the number of enquiries
Detective Sergeant Louise Wall, from West Mercia Police's Public Protection Unit, was the National Co-ordinator for the Child Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme pilot. She said:
"We are pleased the public are making use of the Child Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme to protect children and we are very encouraged by the number of enquiries.
"The existence of this scheme in Herefordshire, Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin and Worcestershire has already seen a number of children protected from potentially serious harm.
"I would like to encourage members of the public to continue to contact us with any concerns that they have and to be reassured that their enquiry will be handled both promptly and sensitively.
"The system is very discreet and we deal with all parties in a sensitive manner. Our priority is keeping children safe and we will act on information received in a timely fashion."
Detective Superintendent Martin Lakeman, who is head of the Public Protection Unit, stated:
"The results so far have been very encouraging and should increase the public's confidence that we will listen to their concerns and take action as appropriate.
"West Mercia Police continues to work with our partner agencies in order to raise awareness of the scheme and to ensure that as much information as possible is available to professionals and parents alike in order for them to safeguard children from harm.”
For more information about the disclosure scheme visit www.westmercia.police.uk/child-sex-offender-disclosure-scheme/.
If you think a child is in immediate danger you should always call 999 and raise your concerns - police will deal with your call under existing child protection arrangements.
