The Community Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme

The Community Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme is the latest development in child protection and protecting vulnerable members of our community.

Also known as Keeping Children Safe the scheme is going live in Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary on 31 January 2010.

The scheme means that for the first time parents, carers and guardians of children under 18 can contact police directly and ask if a person who has contact with a child has a record for sexual offences against children.

Anyone can register a concern about a person, using the scheme. If it is found that the person in question does have a record for sexual offences against children then information may be given to the parent, carer or guardian as a protective measure.

Detective Sergeant Steven Saunderson from the Offender Management Unit says:

“The protection of children is a high priority for the police and the introduction of this scheme will allow disclosure to be made to persons who are best placed to protect their child rather than it being blanket disclosure. Mappa arrangements already allow information to be disclosed in certain circumstances and this scheme will mean that there is now a formal process for members of the public to ask police if a person who has access to their children has convictions for child sex offences that could put their child at risk.”

Member of Dumfries of and Galloway Child Protection Committee Councillor John Syme says:

“I welcome the introduction of the Scheme across Dumfries and Galloway which will enhance the child protection arrangements we currently have in place. The protection of children is everyone’s responsibility and this will allow parents to protect their children by contacting police about a person they have concerns about who has access to them”.

Member of Dumfries and Galloway Child Protection Committee Councillor David McKie says:

“We already have strong partnership working across Dumfries and Galloway aimed at protecting children. This scheme will add to the work already being carried out by the various agencies to protect children from the potential risks posed by offenders.”

Anyone wanting to apply for information under the scheme can do so by contacting Dumfries and Galloway Police on 0845 600 5701 or by speaking to any police officer or visiting your nearest Police station.

For more information on the scheme and on how to make an application visit the Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary website at www.dg.police.uk.