Recent data shared by the government shows that there are over 68,000 people on the sex offenders register in England and Wales as of 19 Feb 2024.

This is an increase of 6000 from 2021. There were 34,939 offenders alone in 2009/10. 

Unsurprisingly, the staggering amount of predators in our communities can be worrying to many parents and guardians. 

However, dangerous criminals within our communities can be monitored through Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements used by the police and other government officials.

If you are concerned about the safety of a child you could be entitled to find out if there are any registered sex offenders living near you. 

What is Sarah's law? 

Sarah’s Law, officially known as the Child Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme, was introduced following the abduction and murder of Sarah Payne, eight, by paedophile Roy Whiting, in 2000.

The scheme allows people in England and Wales to ask police if someone with access to a child has been convicted or suspected of child abuse.

Officers will look into the background of individuals and reveal details confidentially, usually to the parents or guardians, if they think it is in the child's interests.

Applications under Sarah’s Law can be made by anyone, but the police will only inform the person who can protect the child.

So, for example, a grandparent may enquire about their daughter’s new partner, but the police would then inform the mother, not the grandparent if the partner was found to have a history of sexual offences.

Who gets put on the Sex Offenders' Register?

Contrary to belief, this is a database used by the authorities and is not accessible to the public.

Online unofficial databases exist, but the government does not regulate them.

Anyone cautioned or convicted of a sexual offence will be put on the Sex Offenders' Register, this includes anyone who commits a sexual offence on the internet. 

A 'sex offender' does not necessarily mean a 'paedophile'

There are a range of crimes that can be considered as sexual offences, including non-consensual crimes such as rape or sexual assault, crimes against children including child sexual abuse or grooming, and crimes that exploit others for a sexual purpose.

Individuals are put on the Sex Offenders' Register for differing lengths of time, depending on the type of offence:

  • A jail term of 30 months to life = remain on the register indefinitely
  • A jail term of 6 to 30 months = registration for 10 year
  • A sentence of less than 6 months = on the register for seven years
  • A community order sentence = on the register for five years
  • A caution issued = on the register for two years

Except for prison sentences of 30 months or more, minors (offenders under the age of 18) will have their registration period halved.

Recommended reading:

Police forces urged by watchdog to ‘give rape victims the service they deserve’

Met Police not managing risks posed by sex offenders effectively, inspectors say

How do I access the information?

Important: If you feel a child is in immediate danger, you should call 999 straight away.

For more advice and information on protecting children from abuse, you can visit the Parents Protect website.

You can request information relating to a child that you protect or safeguard by calling 101 or by visiting your local police station.

Alternatively, you can go to a police station and ask them for a ‘Child Sex Offenders Disclosure Scheme Form’ (Sarah’s Law), or Form 284.

It is down to the police's discretion whether to share this information.

The police will disclose information only if it is lawful, necessary and proportionate to do so in the interests of protecting the child, or children, from harm.

Even if they do release the information, parents and carers must keep the information confidential and only use it to keep their child safe.

Legal action may be taken if confidentiality is breached.