Police start ‘Sarah’s Law’ trials

Police are to trial a version of 'Sarah's Law', under which parents will be able to ask if someone dealing with their children is a sex offender. Police will examine their records to see if individuals have been convicted of child sex crimes, or have previously been suspected of abuse. Parents, grandparents and even neighbours will be able to make the requests, with the results being passed only to parents or guardians. Three year-long pilot projects are to be run in Cambridgeshire, Cleveland, Hampshire and Warwickshire.

The trials follow a long campaign for a British version of the US 'Megan's Law' after eight-year-old Sarah Payne was murdered in 2000 by Roy Whiting, who was already a convicted sex offender. Sarah's mother Sara welcomed the trials, but said they were only a "first step". Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said: "Giving parents the ability to find out if someone close to their child poses a risk will empower them."

Concerns have been raised that the scheme could lead to vexatious claims, or see police forces overwhelmed by requests. Vernon Coaker, the Home Office minister, admitted the number of claims could be an issue, but insisted: "We don't believe that doing nothing is appropriate and in the best interests of our children."

Some charities however, warn the scheme could create a climate of suspicion or lead to vigilante attacks on people found to have child sex convictions.