Sex offenders' home search call

Ms Cummings wanted the names of all sex offenders publicised

A group of MSPs has called for the police to be allowed to search the homes of known sex offenders without a warrant in certain cases.

They also want to see sex offenders who fail to co-operate with the authorities made liable for immediate arrest.

However, they have rejected the idea of the names of all sex offenders being made public.

The inquiry followed a campaign by Margaret Ann Cummings, whose son Mark was murdered by a sex offender.

Ms Cummings has called for the names of all sex offenders living in an area to be made public.

Tougher laws

MSPs on the Justice 2 Sub-Committee disagreed but have called for much tougher laws governing sex offenders.

They want police to have the right to search the home of an offender without going to court for a warrant where a child's safety is at risk.

They also said offenders failing to co-operate with the authorities should be named and the police should have powers to arrest them.

The MSPs want anyone charged with sexual offences against children to be held in custody, except in exceptional circumstances.