About time !

The photos of on-the-run paedophiles could be posted on the web to warn the public, it was revealed today. Home Office minister Paul Goggins this morning launched the Child exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) centre in London

The £1million unit will bring together police, computer industry experts and children's charities to combat images of child sex abuse and online grooming.

Jim Gamble, the head of the new body said: "The CEOP centre is the most significant development in child protection in recent years.

"Our message is clear: If you’re a sex offender, get help or get caught."

Mr Gamble said he had written to police forces to ask their views on posting mugshots of abusers who had run away from supervision by Multi-Agency Public Protection Panels.

"If the risk is high, we need to consider new and perhaps constructively aggressive measures before they harm a child in the community," said Mr Gamble.

He had begun discussions with the Association of Chief Police Officers to allow the move, he said, adding: “Our negotiations are well advanced.”

Sources said about three per cent of the 30,000 people on the Sex Offenders’ Register have lost touch with the authorities at any one time.

About 100 of those are considered to be high-risk offenders, including dozens convicted of offences on children.

Internet safety adviser at children’s charity NCH, John Carr, said: "NCH welcomes this important initiative that promises to help keep children safe online both in the UK and across the world.

"We are particularly pleased to see industry, law enforcement, and children’s charities working together in this highly innovative way to ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to help protect our children from harm."