UK RSOs - Must notify if visiting places where children are present (bill)

[BLueRibbon]

According to a bill (yet to be voted on):

61 Child sex offenders: requirement to notify if entering premises where children present

After section 86 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 insert—

“86A Notification requirements: persons required to notify if entering premises at which children present

(1) A relevant offender is subject to the requirements in section 86B if—
(a) the offender is a child sex offender, or
(b) a chief officer of police has given the offender a notice stating that the offender is subject to the requirements in section 86B, and the notice has not been cancelled.

[...]

6B Notification requirements: entering premises at which children are present

(1) A section 86B relevant offender must notify the required information to the police no less than 12 hours before entering qualifying premises at which children are present.
(2) “The required information” means—
(a) the address of the premises,
(b) the date on which the offender is to enter the premises, and
(c) such other information as the appropriate authority may specify
in regulations.
(3) “Qualifying premises” means premises of a kind specified in regulations made by the appropriate authority.

[...]

(8) In this section the “appropriate authority” means—
(a) in relation to an offender whose relevant police area is a police area in England and Wales, the Secretary of State;
(b) in relation to an offender whose relevant police area is Scotland, the Scottish Ministers;
(c) in relation to an offender whose relevant police area is Northern Ireland, the Department of Justice in Northern Ireland.

It remains to be seen how this will be applied once the bill inevitably passes.

https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/b ... 240187.pdf (page 60)

[PorcelainLark]

What if they don't know if children are present? It feels like RSOs would basically have to be under constant surveillance. A supermarket, a doctor, and a bus stop could all potentially have children present even if they're not specifically for children. Also, what if there aren't children present when they arrive, but children turn up afterwards?

"Premises where children are present" is so vague. Unless they just mean schools and playgrounds, it feels super open-ended.

[BLueRibbon]

The current definition of premises where children are present is essentially whatever the hell the government decides at some future point.

(3) “Qualifying premises” means premises of a kind specified in regulations made by the appropriate authority.

(8) In this section the “appropriate authority” means—
(a) in relation to an offender whose relevant police area is a police area in England and Wales, the Secretary of State;
(b) in relation to an offender whose relevant police area is Scotland, the Scottish Ministers;
(c) in relation to an offender whose relevant police area is Northern Ireland, the Department of Justice in Northern Ireland.

[Aspire6]

This bill is another incredibly stupid and ignorant "solution" to a problem they perpetrate themselves.

I can only see this being used to re-target "offenders" that dare decide to leave their place of residence to run an errand and see a child out in public.

I saw this while logged out and it angered me so much that I logged back in to post this reply. I cannot express my disapproval enough.

And they wonder why people are afraid of coming out to seek help.

[PorcelainLark]

The current definition of premises where children are present is essentially whatever the hell the government decides at some future point.

(3) “Qualifying premises” means premises of a kind specified in regulations made by the appropriate authority.

(8) In this section the “appropriate authority” means—
(a) in relation to an offender whose relevant police area is a police area in England and Wales, the Secretary of State;
(b) in relation to an offender whose relevant police area is Scotland, the Scottish Ministers;
(c) in relation to an offender whose relevant police area is Northern Ireland, the Department of Justice in Northern Ireland.

I feel like those authorities will have to have a very high bar for qualifying premises, otherwise, how on earth could you even implement it?

This bill is another incredibly stupid and ignorant "solution" to a problem they perpetrate themselves.

I can only see this being used to re-target "offenders" that dare decide to leave their place of residence to run an errand and see a child out in public.

I saw this while logged out and it angered me so much that I logged back in to post this reply. I cannot express my disapproval enough.

And they wonder why people are afraid of coming out to seek help.

Targeting implies that they've even thought it through. I could just as easily see it being like the whole Huw Edwards thing again: having laws on the possession of PIM so rigid that it makes it impossible for the court to even review the evidence. The level of incompetence and lack of forethought is stunning.

The UK needs a written constitution to rein in the stupidity. I'm so tired of hearing about loudmouths passing laws without any accountability.

[BLueRibbon]

I've contacted the Home Office asking them to clarify the intended scope of "qualifying premises".

[Jim Burton]

So a group of registered sex offenders who are really offended by this legislation could effectively shut down their local police department by calling to inform them every time they enter a supermarket or railway station.

[BLueRibbon]

So a group of registered sex offenders who are really offended by this legislation could effectively shut down their local police department by calling to inform them every time they enter a supermarket or railway station.

We could consider trying to organize such a protest should this bill pass.

I've contacted the Home Office asking them to clarify the intended scope of "qualifying premises".

They have not replied.

[Outis]

One way to respond is to drown them in paperwork.

Have an AI list all the places in your area where you might go. Cinema, shops, restaurants etc which are likely to have kids, then for each one email the police a lengthy email stating that you may visit this place between these dates, requesting a confirmation back that they're received the email, read it and are satisfied with the request. Have an agent pump these out at a steady clip, a few dozen per day might be reasonable. If everyone does that then it might keep them busy enough that they're not out there harassing real people just trying to live their lives.

[Bookshelf]

How on earth would this ever be enforceable?