The NSPCC claims children may be at risk of harm from sexual predators because very few police forces are making full use of "Sarah's Law".

The Child Sex Offenders Disclosure (CSOD) scheme came into force following public outrage over the savage murder of eight-year-old Sarah Payne.

It allows parents and others to ask police for details about individuals if they suspect they might harm children.

But since it began in April 2011 just one in six applications for information has been successful.

The charity has found 125 applications were made to Durham Constabulary by concerned members of the public between 2011 and 2014.

But the force only responded to 32 requests for information.

Durham's Police and Crime Commissioner - Ron Hogg - has given us his response:-


Cleveland Police received 147 applications in the same period and had among the highest proportion of successful applications with 131 of those resulting in disclosures.

Meanwhile, 61 applications were made to North Yorkshire Police but they only responded to 15.

In a statement, the Force said:

"Child protection is an absolute priority and safety measures such as the Child Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme should be used freely and without hesitation.

"It is essential people have the ability and confidence to formally raise concerns, as well as having some informed control over who they allow close to their children.

"If parents, carers or guardians have any doubts about someone, please use the Child Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme by contacting  North Yorkshire Police on the dedicated phone line ."

Peter Wanless, NSPCC chief executive, said:

"We are both disturbed and surprised by this wide discrepancy of figures across the country, revealing that there is a postcode lottery when it comes to how forces deal with Sarah's law.

"Families need to know if there are individuals in their area who pose a risk to children.

"How can you expect parents to make the right choices in order to protect their children if they don't know who is a threat?"

"The police need to be proactive in empowering communities to protect vulnerable children.

"The wide variation in disclosure numbers doesn't breed confidence that the scheme is being understood or applied consistently and that is a concern.

"While there may be very good reasons for not disclosing information held to applicants, some forces seem to be too cautious which could put children at serious risk of harm.

"We need to see regular independent evaluation of this vital law to make sure it's working as it should."

The figures come weeks after the NSPCC's State of the Nation report showed a dramatic increase in child sexual abuse being reported to police, with three offences committed against children every hour.