PARENTS in York and North Yorkshire are to get access to a database of information to help protect their children against sex offenders.

The move by Stop it Now! UK and Ireland follows the nationwide rollout of Sarah’s Law, or the child sex offender disclosure scheme.

This allows parents under certain circumstances to know if people with access to their children have convictions for child sex crimes.

Under the Home Office scheme, parents can ask the police about anyone with access to their children and officers will reveal details confidentially if they think it is in the child’s interests. Police may also warn parents if concerns are raised by grandparents or neighbours.

The scheme has been called Sarah’s Law by some, because it came about through the efforts of Sara Payne, mother of murdered schoolgirl Sarah Payne.

The new online resource – parentsprotect.co.uk – aims to raise awareness of what adults can do to protect children and hosts a 30- minute learning programme.

The programme covers topics including: what sexual abuse is, who abuses children, and why, offending behaviour, signs to look out for in children and adults, how to put in place a family safety plan to protect children and where to go for help and advice.

Det Chief Insp Kerrin Smith, who heads the protecting vulnerable persons unit at North Yorkshire Police, said: “One of the police service’s most fundamental roles is to do whatever we can to protect people from harm. We welcome anything which helps to raise awareness and understanding of the steps that can be taken to prevent child sexual abuse.”