Sex offender register on the horizon

NEW sex-offender laws, including moves towards a local paedophile register, are being drawn up. Local action will implement some of the changes introduced in the UK by The Sexual Offences Act 2003.

There is concern about the spread of Internet paedophile activity in the island, particularly after a number of arrests were made locally following Operation Ore, the paedophile Internet-abuse swoop coordinated by the UK's National Criminal Intelligence Service.

Fifteen targets were identified and a handful were prosecuted in the Magistrate's Court. Other cases are still open after those accused left the island.

Registration of sex offenders was introduced in the UK in 1997. It has not been extended to Guernsey, despite support for the idea from politicians and former police chief Mike Wyeth.

'While no reciprocal legislation currently exists within the Bailiwick, a small working party has been actively reviewing the situation with a view to producing a draft policy letter detailing requirements for comprehensive local legislation,' said Detective Chief Inspector Ian Morellec, a member of the working party.

A Civil Service junior executive has been seconded to the Probation Service to undertake the research.

'A key to the success of ?registration? is the requirement and ability to exchange information between jurisdictions. Given that the largest movement of visitors and new residents to the Bailiwick is from the UK, it is important that we have reciprocity with that jurisdiction. We are therefore looking closely at their recent legislation,' said DCI Morellec.

In the UK, Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements bring together police, probation and social services and other agencies to monitor violent and sex offenders in the community.

Legislation was required for the formation of these bodies in the UK.

In Guernsey, the concept has been recognised as a good-practice model. 'We have been proactive in monitoring those individuals who, within our community, have presented a risk due to their violent or sexual offending,' said DCI Morellec. 'I recognise that we cannot afford to be complacent, but local Mappas have thus far been very effective.'

Legislation could be introduced in due course.

* Children's charities have called for a review of Internet policing and they want more money and technology to be involved.

The Children's Charities Coalition for Internet Safety said that the fight against child pornography lacked funding. It has also proposed the creation of an online 999 service to help tackle these crimes.