NPCC: Consistent approach taken to applications under 'Sarah's Law'

CC Bailey said:

“The police service enjoys a strong working relationship with the NSPCC and we are always prepared to have frank and mutually supportive conversations about how we can best work together to protect children.

“The release of these figures, however, is unhelpful and potentially misleading. Forces were asked to provide figures for the number of applications made for Child Sexual Offender Disclosures under ‘Sarah’s Law’ and, in addition, the number of occasions on which information about someone who posed a risk to children was provided. It follows that where an application was made but no information on that person existed, that would not be logged as an occasion where information about someone who posed a risk to children was provided to the applicant.  The reason for this being quite simply that there was no information to disclose.

“Forces do take into account certain community considerations when assessing applications. These include risks to life, risks of vigilantism and risks to children, among others, and the NSPCC was part of the process that came up with these safeguards. We also have to accept that on occasions the process is being abused by applicants who have ulterior motives and are simply seeking reassurance about individuals connected with their children."

“I am assured of a consistent approach in dealing with ‘Sarah’s Law’ applications across forces and can reassure the public of the police service’s absolute commitment to the protection of children.”

ENDS