Paynes call for public paedophile list

Sara and Michael Payne support 'naming and shaming'

The parents of murdered schoolgirl Sarah Payne have called for a public register of convicted paedophiles.

Sara and Michael Payne are backing the News of the World's decision to print photographs and details of more than 110,000 convicted sex offenders, following the murder of eight-year-old Sarah in July.

We all have a common goal to protect the children of this country

Sara Payne

The couple attended a meeting at the newspaper's headquarters where opponents of the campaign were urging the paper to halt its "naming and shaming" drive.

Probation officers, children's charities and offenders' groups are among those who say the campaign risks driving paedophiles underground.

'Small steps forward'

Mrs Payne said: "We had a very informative meeting. The "For Sarah" campaign stands for a public register which we all have access to.

"In basic terms that is what we want. We have never been happy about the campaign but the public wishes to know who and where these people are and until somebody comes forward with something else we will continue to do this.

The newspaper says 240,000 have signed its petition

"We all have a common goal and that's to protect the children of this country against whoever might hurt them.

"We will keep taking small steps forward and we won't go back a single one."

The meeting was also attended by representatives from the police and charities including the NSPCC and the National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders (Nacro), who have urged the News of the World to halt their campaign, saying it is counterproductive.

Common ground

Paul Cavadino, of Nacro, which has said the campaign could lead to paedophiles going underground, said: "The meeting explored what common ground exists between us in taking forward measures to increase the protection of children in a way that can meet all of our concerns.

"We and the News of the World have identified a number of issues on which we've agreed to reflect between now and the weekend."

Stuart Kuttner, managing editor of the News of the World, said: "Essentially both parties have agreed on their common aim to improve protection for children."

The newspaper says an estimated 240,000 people have signed its "For Sarah" petition calling on Home Secretary Jack Straw to introduce "Sarah's Law".

This would ensure parents were kept informed of paedophiles living in their community.

The newspaper has also called for life sentences for child sex offenders to mean lifetime imprisonment.

Register 'working well'

Wednesday's talks coincided with the release of a Home Office report which said the Sex Offender Register used to keep track of paedophiles was working well.

The register was established by the Sex Offenders' Act 1997 and was introduced by all 43 police forces in England and Wales between August 1998 and April 1999.

Home Office Minister Charles Clarke said compliance with the register among sex offenders was rising and had reached 97%.

But the report, entitled Where are they Now?, also said there was "widespread police concern" about the scope of the Act and resources for monitoring paedophiles.