Scots could be told of local paedophiles

Published on Tuesday 24 March 2009 23:36

AN English scheme to allow parents to find out about paedophiles in their area is being looked at by the Scottish Government.

The UK government's pilot schemes in Hampshire, Cleveland and Cambridgeshire, which allow parents to find out if somebody close to their child has a history of child sex offending, have just been extended.

And there are calls for the Scottish Government to introduce similar measures north of the Border.

The Scottish Conservatives' leader, Annabel Goldie, warned that failure to introduce measures would see "devious paedophiles" moving to Scotland.

"We cannot have a situation whereby children in Scotland are less safe," she said.

"It would be a charter for disaster."

A Scottish Government spokesman said: "We are looking at the operation of the scheme to identify what benefits there might be for Scotland.

"We have an open mind and continue to seek to learn lessons about improving how this small but potentially dangerous minority can most effectively be monitored and our communities kept safe."