A tightening of the laws on sex offenders, announced by home
secretary David Blunkett, has been welcomed by children's
charities.
For the first time, sex offenders from abroad will have to put
their names on the sex offenders' register.
Blunkett will also change the law so that the 18,500 already on the
list will have to register yearly instead of every five years. In
addition, indeterminate sentences will be introduced for those
offenders deemed beyond rehabilitation.
Blunkett said: "We must act on behalf of the people. The judiciary
must make sure they do not make judgements that seek to protect the
people from the will of parliament."
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Christine Atkinson, policy adviser at children's charity NSPCC
said: "This is a strong warning for those offenders who think they
can abuse children and escape the law. The proposal of
indeterminate sentencing will go further to help protect children
in their communities.
"We would urge the home secretary to make child protection a key
performance indicator to help the police keep children at the top
of their agenda."
