British Government rules out Megan's Law plan
Proposals to allow the British public open access to information about convicted paedophiles have been ruled out by the UK government today.
A British "Megan's Law" will not be introduced but, in certain circumstances, concerned community members will have the right to request details of possible sex offenders who may have contact with their children.
The plans will be announced when the findings of a review into how information about child sex offenders should be handled is published sometime this week.
The NSPCC, a leading children's charity, welcomed the development saying "open access" could force convicted paedophiles underground and place youngsters at greater risk of assault.
Mary Marsh, the organisation's director and chief executive, said: "The Government is rightly tackling public concern at how children are currently protected from sex offenders."
She added "The Government could give stronger, more consistent guidance on how to share information on local child sex offenders.
"Agencies should consider how best to disclose details about specific offenders on a case-by-case basis.
"This should help a concerned parent or other individual take appropriate protective action.
"But allowing anyone access to information about sex offenders is dangerous. It raises the spectre of offenders going into hiding because they fear vigilante reprisals and that does not help protect children."
It is thought the review will propose giving parents, guardians and carers the right to ask whether a person has child sex convictions only if the individual is able to spend time alone with a child.
The system would build on existing laws which already allow police to approach and warn a woman who has begun a relationship with a known paedophile.
The US's Megan's Law commemorates seven-year-old Megan Kanka who was raped and murdered by a paedophile.
The child was strangled and her body stuffed in a plastic toy chest by neighbour Jesse Timmendequas in the New Jersey suburb of Hamilton Township in 1994.
The murder of eight-year-old schoolgirl Sarah Payne by paedophile Roy Whiting in July 2000 sparked a nationwide campaign for similar legislation to be introduced in Britain, dubbed "Sarah's Law".
The system now being proposed would have arguably had no effect on the Sarah Payne case, as she was grabbed by a stranger, and is a far cry from the "Sarah's Law" originally envisaged by campaigners.
A British Home Office spokesman said: "Public protection and the safety of our children is paramount. The changes we are proposing will further strengthen the safeguards we have to make sure that child sex offenders can't harm our children.
"For the first time there will be circumstances where members of the public will have the right to request details of possible sex offenders who may have contact with their children.
"The plans have been worked up in consultation with many children's charities and organisations and strike the right balance to maximise child safety."
