Sex offenders register approved

A SEX offenders register for Guernsey has been approved after deputies unanimously backed a new law yesterday.

The policy was first given the go-ahead in 2011 following a petition in 2007 signed by more than 300 islanders.

Legislation will now bring that into effect. The proposed register will only operate on a 'need to know' basis and not include naming and shaming.

The law updates what was approved in 2011, including additional powers for the police to enter the address of an offender under certain circumstances, including if they believe that someone is at risk of harm.

But campaigner Maria Hughes believes it does not go far enough. She organised the 2007 petition and still feels the public has a right to know who was on the register.

Home minister Jonathan Le Tocq said the new law would allow authorities to carry out their work more effectively. He highlighted the fact that some parts of the current law were so old they were written in French.