HL Deb 05 November 1997 vol 582 cc291-2WA
Baroness Turner of Camden

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What new measures they propose to take to protect the community from sex offenders who pose a risk to the public.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Williams of Mostyn)

We have published today a consultation paper on Community Protection Orders. Copies are available in the Library.

We propose that the chief officer of police will have the power to apply for an order in the civil courts if the behaviour of a person who has been convicted or cautioned for a sex offence, whether in this country or abroad, poses a risk of serious harm to the public.

The order will require the defendant to register under the provisions of the Sex Offenders Act 1997, if he is not already required to do so. The court may also impose such other prohibitory conditions as are necessary to protect the public.