Are children safer? The government claims UK legislation against sex offenders is effective, but it has failed to effectively implement the law / Guardian August 22 2008
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/aug/22/ukcrime.childprotection?gusrc=rss&feed=society
"We have probably all had our fill of witnessing the excruciating spectacle of Paul Gadd/Gary Glitter playing musical planes to avoid returning to London for a life of running from tabloid newshounds. Many of us have certainly stomached enough of the home secretary, Jacqui Smith's "tough talking" in her carefully planned press interviews announcing yet more clampdowns on sex offenders. The Home Office has legislated almost every year of the last 11 on sex offenders. But government failure to effectively implement the changes in law means children can only be considered marginally safer. It is high time the home secretary stopped congratulating herself –agreeing press releases announcing tough new laws is one thing: making the laws work is the hard part."