Seven child sex offenders found in Dorset under Sarah's Law (From Dorset Echo)

Seven child sex offenders found in Dorset under Sarah's Law

11:30am Friday 27th January 2012 in Local News By Miriam Phillips

SEVEN child sex offenders with regular access to children have been uncovered in Dorset, thanks to the introduction of Sarah’s Law.

More than 60 concerned families have also contacted Dorset Police to find out if their child is safe.

Sarah’s Law, known as the Child Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme, came into place in the county last October after campaigning from parents and Sarah’s Law supporters. It was introduced after a successful trial in four police forces and Dorset is now one of 18 forces that have it nationally.

The scheme was named after eight-year-old Sarah Payne who was murdered by convicted paedophile Roy Whiting in 2000.

Now a mum of a 15-year-old sex abuse victim, whose attacker faced a two-year-sentence, has told the Echo that the introduction of the scheme was a real step forward for parents in Dorset.

She said: “When the unimaginable happens you can’t help but blame yourself for not being perceptive enough to keep these monsters away from our children.

“But in reality it was very difficult to find out and I just wish this was around four years ago.”

The Dorchester mum said she was surprised only 60 families had contacted the force.

“I urge people to use Sarah’s Law to find out information about people surrounding their child.”

Kidscape deputy director Peter Bradley told the Echo: “The uptake of parents using Sarah’s Law is a similar picture around the country.

“Sarah’s Law is very important for parents to be able to find out if their child is safe and it’s an avenue they can use to investigate any concerns they have.”

Detective Inspector Joan Carmichael said: “The Child Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme empowers parents, carers and guardians with a formal process for registering their concerns and for receiving feedback on those concerns.

“This process also helps authorities to receive information about the behaviour of Registered Sex Offenders that may not previously have been picked up by the police or probation staff managing the offender.

“Since January 2011, seven child sex offenders with regular access to children have been uncovered in Dorset and 60 concerned families have contacted the force.

“The relevant parties have had a face to face meeting with officers and safeguarding measures have been put in place for the children.” • You can make enquiries online, at a police station, or by calling 01202 222222.

Sarah's tragic story

Sarah Payne disappeared on July 1, 2000 from a cornfield near her grandparents’ home in West Sussex.

Sarah, pictured, had been playing with her brothers and sister, aged between five and 13 at the time. A nationwide search commenced and Sarah’s parents made television appeals for her safe return. On July 17, a body was found nearly 20 miles from where she had disappeared.

The following day, it was confirmed the body was that of Sarah and police began a murder investigation.

The campaign for Sarah’s Law was spearheaded by the now defunct News of the World which began in response to the murder. Sarah Payne’s parents backed up the campaign as they were sure that a child sex offender had been responsible for their daughter’s death.

Their belief was proved correct 17 months later when Roy Whiting was found guilty, it was revealed that he already had a conviction for abducting and indecently assaulting an eight-year-old girl.

The campaign’s aim was for the government to allow some access to the Sex Offender Register so parents of young children could know if a child sex offender was in their area.