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Scots sex offences bill is criticised

Posted: 16 December 2004 | Subscribe Online


Scotland's new sexual offences bill could be undermined by too much emphasis on "stranger danger" and a lack of police resources.

Maggie Mellon, director of charity Children First, said the Protection of Children and Prevention of Sexual Offences (Scotland) Bill going through the Scottish Parliament could give people a "false sense of security".

The bill proposes restricting the movements of convicted sex offenders by making sexual offences prevention orders available at the time of sentencing. Also it will introduce risk of sexual harm orders for those suspected of being a threat to children. Laws on internet grooming of children by paedophiles, similar to those in England, would also be introduced.

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"The police had to limit their prosecutions of people identified by Operation Ore to those who possessed more than 150 images because of a lack of money. If they haven't the resources to enforce existing legislation how will they be able to monitor the internet and grooming?" Mellon said.

She added that the bill put too much emphasis on "stranger danger" and the use of regulations and police checks to protect people when these were not always reliable, while increased regulations put people off working with children.



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