§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will launch a campaign to inform British nationals that they will be prosecuted for child sex crimes committed overseas; and if he will make a statement. [33019]
§ Mr. Keith BradleyWe are keen to do all we can to protect the public, especially children, both in the United Kingdom and abroad, from sex offenders. This is why jurisdiction was extended by virtue of Part Two of the Sex Offenders Act 1997 to allow prosecution in the UnitedKingdom's courts for sex offences committed by British nationals and residents abroad against children. This allows us to prosecute such cases in this country when we need to.
However, we consider it preferable wherever possible for our citizens to face trial in the country where the alleged offence was committed. That is because it is 461W extremely difficult for the prosecuting authorities in the United Kingdom to gather sufficient evidence about an offence which took place in another country for a successful prosecution. In these circumstances, an information campaign of the kind suggested would not be appropriate. However, we will take every opportunity to warn people that they could be prosecuted in the United Kingdom for sex offences committed abroad.