WHAT IS SARAH’S LAW?

Sarah's Law would give parents and carers the right to controlled information about the whereabouts of predatory child sex offenders living in their area.

It would enable parents to safeguard their children by contacting police in order to obtain details of high risk paedophiles who are known to reside within their local community.

This information would be strictly controlled by police and there would be strong penalties for anyone who abuses the information.

Sarah's Law is NOT a call for unrestricted open access to the Sex Offender's Register.

Sarah's Law is named after Sarah Payne, who at the age of eight was kidnapped and murdered in July 2000 by serial offender Roy Whiting.

Sarah's mother, Sara, had no idea Whiting was living in the area where her daughter was allowed to play.

Since then, the News of the World has campaigned tirelessly alongside Sara for parents and carers to to be given the right to know the whereabouts of dangerous paedophiles like Whiting.

In June 2006, Home Secretary John Reid announced plans to formally investigate the introduction of Sarah's Law, saying: "I start from the position that information should no longer remain the exclusive preserve of officialdom.

"I believe the public have the right to protection and they have the right to information."

Send us your view at forsarah@notw.co.uk