Northamptonshire Police joins child sex offender disclosure pilot

[Newsdesk]

It has been announced this morning that Northamptonshire Police will be taking part in the next phase of the roll-out of the child sex offender disclosure pilot.

This means that from August parents, guardians and carers can contact us and ask if a named person who has contact with children has any convictions for child sex offences.

Superintendent Tina Wetherall-Pegley, head of Public Protection, Protective Services Command, said: “We volunteered to be part of the second phase of this pilot as we believe it is a positive step forward and a good opportunity to help parents, careers or guardians feel more secure about any people they may have concerns about.

“We are committed to safeguarding children and hope this scheme will increase people’s trust and confidence that we are here to listen to their concerns and protect the welfare of their children.

“The pilot allows members of the public to contact us and ask if a certain individual has convictions for child sex offences. If this is the case we will disclose that information as well as provide further information and support to the person who made the request.

“Further action will also be taken if we learn that a person who is not permitted to have contact with children is doing so.
“The trial is not set to start in Northamptonshire until August while we put the necessary procedures in place to be able to manage requests.
 
"However, if anyone has concerns about people who are in contact with children, they should contact us on 03000 111 222 so we can take any appropriate action.”

The pilot is trialling a process where members of the public can register their child protection interest in a named individual.
Where this individual has convictions for child sex offences and is considered a risk, there will be a presumption that this information will be disclosed to the relevant member of the public.

Members of the public can request a disclosure even when they have no concerns.