Paedophiles running out of places to hide

2.42.36pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 1st Jun 2006

The European Parliament has backed an EU proposal whereby any paedophile banned from work with children in any EU Member State as a result of a conviction for sexual abuse or child pornography will be similarly banned in all other EU countries.

Commenting, Baroness Sarah Ludford MEP, Liberal Democrat European Justice Spokeswoman, said:

"This is an excellent example of the EU delivering real security. Where previously a French child molester may have been able to roam freely in the United Kingdom and possibly work with children, now all EU Member states will be alerted so that they can place them on their own sex offenders register."

"If we are truly to combat crime then we must continue to share this kind of information with one another in Europe, particularly when it comes to dealing with such heinous criminals. The EU's work on combating crime is a top priority."