THE RULING by the Lord Chief Justice that police in North Wales had been justified in telling a caravan site owner that two "extremely dangerous" convicted child sex offenders had moved in is the right one - as is the restraint with which it is tempered.

For while upholding the action of the police in this case, he also warned that police forces have no blanket right to "out" convicted paedophiles living in the community.

Such caution is correct and fair.

For while most people will be repulsed by the crimes of such people, justice does not permit them being hounded from their homes by their neighbours when they have paid for their crimes and when they show no sign of re-offending.

It is only when the police consider them to be a continuing threat to children in their neighbourhood that they should - indeed, must - inform the community.

For in these cases the rights of children to be protected supersede the civil rights of the offenders. We are pleased that this is the policy that Lancashire Police employs.

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