UNITED KINGDOM
Bristol Post
One in five requests made to Avon and Somerset police as to whether someone has a record of child sex offences has been given a positive response.
Police have received 242 requests from parents, carers or guardians under the Child Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme – commonly known as Sarah’s Law – since it was introduced in 2011, with 47 confirming someone as a child sex offender.
Across the force’s jurisdiction, 56 per cent (158) of the total requests have come from Somerset, while 32 per cent (89) have come Bristol and 12 per (33) from North East Somerset.
Sharon Copsey, head of service for the National Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC), said calls to the charity’s 24-hour helpline have “soared” over the past few years. She cited recent high-profile cases – such as those of Jimmy Saville and Ian Watkins – as the main reason for this change, saying there is now “much higher awareness” about children’s safety.
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