'Sarah's Law' begins in Avon and Somerset

The scheme - also known as Sarah's Law - will allow parents, guardians and third parties to ask if someone who has access to a child is a registered sex offender. 

Here are the details that Avon and Somerset Police have sent Heart:

Today, (February 28, 2011) the Child Sex offenders Disclosure scheme launches in Avon and Somerset.

The scheme which is also known as Sarah's Law began as a pilot that was introduced by the Home Office in September 2008. Four police forces in the country originally piloted the scheme over a 12 month period (September 2008-September 2009). Following its success it was decided that the initiative would be rolled out nationally. All forces will be live with the scheme by April 2011.

The Child Sex Offenders Disclosure Scheme enables parents, guardians and third parties to enquire whether a person who has access to a child, is a registered sex offender, or poses a risk to that child.

Head of Public Protection Geoff Wessell said: "We have always taken the protection of children extremely seriously and for sometime have had a range of robust and successful procedures in place to support this.

"The introduction of Sarah's law is a welcome addition to the existing measures that are already in place in Avon and Somerset. This will support the fight to protect children and further ensure they are even safer in the future."

For more details click on the link below the photo above.