A LAW to help parents protect against sex offenders helped unmask around 350 predators last year.

Sarah’s Law came in after the 2000 murder of Sarah Payne, eight, by known paedophile Roy Whiting.

In 2011 it led to the Child Sex Offenders Disclosure Scheme — allowing parents to ask the police to tell them if someone has a record for child sex offences.
A Sun probe of police figures found at least 167 cases last year where people were seen as a potential threat.

The total will be nearer 350, since ten forces, including Greater Manchester and West Midlands, did not give figures. Lancashire and Wiltshire were top with 25, and Dorset 24.

Next came Norfolk on 15, Avon and Somerset on 11 and Dyfed-Powys on eight.

David Spencer, of the Centre for Crime Prevention, said: “People will be alarmed at these numbers.

“There is definitely a case for reviewing how convicted paedophiles are monitored once released back on to the streets.”