Paedophile laws extended across the region.
New laws - that allow parents to check if people in contact with their kids are on the sex offenders register - are being extended across our region. "Sarah's Law" was named after 8 year-old Sarah Payne, who was killed in 2000 by a known offender.
The scheme's already been trialled in 4 areas across the country, including here on Teesside. In that time the government claim more than 60 children have been safeguarded. In all, there have been more than 500 enquiries made - most of them from fathers who are worried about the new partners of their child's mother. In one case, a neighbour was offering a young child sweets - he was taken to court after he was uncovered as a known sex offender.
Now the scheme is set to be rolled out in 18 new areas, including North Yorkshire and County Durham. The plan is for Sarah's law to be introduced nationwide by this time next year.
Home Secretary Alan Johnson:
"I am determined to do all I can to protect children and families from sex offenders. We’ve already seen that children are better protected and sex offenders more effectively managed because of this scheme, which is why it is rolling out nationwide."
Chief Inspector Paul Goundry is in charge of Durham Constabulary’s vulnerability unit:
"As a result of the pilot carried out in other areas we know children have been saved from the possibility of becoming victims of sexual abuse and we will be working closely with our partners to ensure the scheme is a success across County Durham and Darlington."
Bauer Media