Sarah's Law helping to keep children safe in Cumbria - Farron

Statistics obtained by South Lakes MP Tim Farron show that a law introduced during the coalition government is helping to keep children across Cumbria safe from child sex offenders.

Sarah's Law was rolled out across the country in 2011, and enables members of the public to ask the police if someone with access to a child has a record for child sexual offences. Police can then decide whether to reveal the answer confidentially to parents, carers or guardians of the child.

Cumbria Police have provided information for more than 40% of requests since the scheme started in 2011. So far in 2016, there have been nine requests, five of which have led to the information being given.

By contrast, information uncovered last year by the NSPCC showed that just 3% of requests to Lancashire Police led to information being disclosed. Their data showed that between 2011 and 2014, just 16% of requests across the country led to information being provided.

Tim said: "It is reassuring that Cumbria Police clearly take these requests seriously and that a high proportion of requests have led to information being disclosed. The safety of our children must be our number one concern, and Sarah's Law is an important tool for parents.

"It is worrying that there is still such a postcode lottery when it comes to information being provided by the police, but thankfully in Cumbria the chances of getting information are relatively high.

"I hope that more parents and guardians are made aware of this service, so they can use it if they feel it would be appropriate."