We have recently moved into a new area and have been told on two occasions that there is a child offender living in our street.
This is worrying enough, but the person we believe they are referring to has made several comments to us when we have been with our children. These have been quite innocent, but if this person is a child offender then the whole context changes!
We do not want to offend this person in case he isn't a child offender, but on the other hand, if he is, then I wouldn't let him within 100 yards of my children. For the safety of my children is there anyway I can find out if this person is a child offender?
Hearing rumours that someone nearby may be a sex offender is unsettling, especially if you have children. Whether the information has come from neighbours, local talk, or something you have seen online, your concern is understandable. You can ask the police to check whether someone poses a risk to your child, and there are steps you can take if you are worried.
What is Sarah's Law?
Sarah's Law, officially known as the Child Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme, allows parents and carers to formally ask the police whether someone who has contact with their child has a record for child sexual offences. The scheme is named after Sarah Payne, who was killed by a convicted sex offender in 2000.
The scheme was piloted in 2010 and rolled out across England and Wales in 2011, and it remains in operation today. It allows you to ask police to check whether a specific person in your child's life has relevant convictions. This could be a new partner, a family friend, a neighbour, or anyone else who has regular unsupervised access to your child.
If police checks reveal that the person has convictions for child sexual offences, they will consider whether to disclose this to you. They will only share information if they believe it is necessary to protect a child. Disclosure is not automatic and remains at the discretion of the police based on their risk assessment. Any information given to you is shared with the expectation that you will not pass it on to others. Misusing disclosed information could lead to legal consequences.
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You can make a Child Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme request by contacting your local police force. This can usually be done by visiting a police station, calling 101, or in some areas by completing an online form on your force's website.
When you make a request, you will need to provide details about the person you are asking about and explain why you are concerned. The police will then carry out checks and decide whether disclosure is appropriate. This process can take some time as officers need to assess the situation carefully.
Not every request will result in information being shared. The police will only disclose details if they judge there is a genuine risk to a child and that sharing the information will help protect them.
Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.
Speaking to the police about your concerns
Even if you are not sure whether to make a formal request under Sarah's Law, you can still speak to the police about your worries. If you have heard rumours about a neighbour, or you have noticed behaviour that concerns you, the police can look into it.
You do not need solid proof to raise a concern. Police can access the sex offenders' register and may already be aware of the person and monitoring them. However, how quickly and thoroughly they respond will depend on available resources and the nature of your concern.
You can call 101 to speak to your local force, or visit a police station in person if you would prefer. If you believe a child is in immediate danger, call 999.
Keeping perspective
Rumours do not always turn out to be true. Information passed around a neighbourhood can sometimes be inaccurate or confused with someone else entirely. This is why going through official channels matters. The police can establish the facts without causing harm to someone who may be innocent.
Taking action through the proper routes also protects you. Confronting someone directly or spreading information yourself could result in accusations of harassment or defamation, potentially leading to civil or criminal proceedings against you.
If you want more detail on how the disclosure scheme works, GOV.UK has guidance on the Child Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme. The NSPCC also offers advice and support for parents concerned about child safety. Your local police force website may have specific information on how to make a request in your area.
It's not okay for him to take photos of your children! His behaviour is highly suspicious. It's not normal.
I would first tell him to stop and absolutely call the police and express your concerns.
His landlord has a creepy appearance too.
I don't think people realise how easy it is remote access phones, laptops, routers, cloning phones, etc. Pedo's are taking it to a whole new level. You hear about toilets having secret cameras etc, but now you can be filmed in your own. If anyone knows of any groups please list...
Put it down to a bad judgment call on the neighbours behalf on Friday 13,6,21 while the boyfriend was out playing foot ball with another child that is only 6 years old just after 10pm I noticed him run over to the garden chatting outside to the neighbour in question,10 minutes later he darted back into my home and motioned with his head to my daughter to go upstairs,a short time time later maybe 15 minutes or so my daughter came back down and told me that that her boyfriend had Somthing he really needed to tell me,he explained that the neighbour was masturbating in full veiw of his bedroom window,whisling down to try and attract hi
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