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Laws on sex offences involving children are to be reformed as part of an overhaul of the sexual offences legislation, the home secretary has announced.

David Blunkett told delegates at a police conference in London last week that the government intended to publish proposals in the autumn that would update "centuries old, outdated law on sex offences".

It is expected that the proposals will include a new crime of "adult sexual activity with a child," which would replace the seven offences currently used to prosecute sex offences with children.

The new package of measures may also introduce a life sentence for sexual abuse of children deemed to be especially serious.

"We are balancing here the toughening of protection, particularly for children, while ensuring the law is fair and non-discriminatory and reflects the 21st century," he said.

A spokesperson for the NSPCC said: "The NSPCC very much welcomes the government's decision to reform the laws on sex crimes and sex offenders. We believe that the protection of children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation should be the prime objective of these reforms."

The proposals have also been welcomed by Mencap. Richard Kramer, the charity's head of campaigns, said: "We are delighted that the government will finally modernise the law on sex offences."

He said that sex offenders deliberately targeted people with learning difficulties because detection and penalties were so much lower (the maximum sentence is two years).

"We need laws that properly deter sex offenders from preying on vulnerable adults and provide punishment that truly reflects the seriousness of that crime," added Kramer.

Meanwhile, the government has also announced that members of the public are to become involved in monitoring the behaviour of sex offenders living in their communities. Lay members are being invited to sit on the strategic boards overseeing the multi-agency public protection panels which manage dangerous offenders across England and Wales.