Investigating blunders (From The Northern Echo)

Investigating blunders

5:41pm Wednesday 10th March 2010 in

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IN reporting the guilt of Ashleigh Hall's murderer Peter Chapman on Tuesday, The Northern Echo's front page headline was "Fatal blunders".

The sentiment was aimed primarily at Merseyside Police for taking nine months - yes NINE MONTHS - to issue a nationwide alert after the registered sex offender went missing from his home.

But it was also aimed at national procedures which allow those on the sex offenders' register to go unchecked onto social networking sites in search of vulnerable young people.

The Echo called for Merseyside Police to be called to account for their handling of Chapman and I therefore welcome the strong stance taken today by the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

Not only has the IPCC confirmed that it will carry out the highest level of internal police inquiry, it has sent an early signal of its dissatisfaction with Merseyside Police.

IPCC commissioner Naseem Malik has expressed her disappointment that the matter was not referred to the police watchdog at a much earlier stage.

And she has promised Ashleigh's family a thorough investigation so that lessons can be learned.

I trust that the Home Office will also carry out a thorough review of the legal loopholes which prevent paedophiles having to disclose their online details.

Surely a case must be made for the human rights of victims to outweigh the human rights of dangerous sex offenders.