Police say new guidance has 'real potential'

The new guidance for monitoring sex offenders online has "real potential to accelerate online child protection", the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) has said.

Jim Gamble, the Acpo lead on child protection and combating child abuse on the internet, said the plans "should provide vital reassurance" to parents and teachers.

"It will provide parents with those crucial indicators as to which sites and providers they should be using, allowing children the chance to get on and enjoy the full benefits of the internet with vital reassurance," he commented.

Mr Gamble noted that under the plans children will be "one click away" from reporting "virtual attacks of a sexual nature such as grooming to specialist officers backed up by support from organisations such as the NSPCC".