The extension of the Child Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme, also referred to as Sarah's Law, will be introduced to 18 new police force areas in August.
The move follows a successful year-long pilot of the scheme in Warwickshire, Hampshire, Cleveland and Cambridgeshire, where it has been credited with protecting more than 60 children from potential abuse (News, 28 January).
Data from the pilot showed that a total of 585 enquiries and 315 applications were made by parents, carers and guardians. The main applicants were fathers concerned about their former partners' new boyfriend, followed by queries from grandparents.
In total, 21 disclosures were made about registered child sex offenders and 43 additional cases led to a range of other safeguarding actions such as referrals to children's social care.
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